NationStates Jolt Archive


Bikini March!! Is this a good idea?

Pax dei
07-12-2006, 17:57
Women protest Sheikh's comments with bikini march
STORY
The World Today - Monday, 27 November , 2006 12:46:00
Reporter: Sabra Lane
ELEANOR HALL: Organisers of a protest march against Sheikh Taj El Din Al Hilali's comments on women and rape say they're confident their demonstration won't be hijacked by white supremacists.

'The Great Australian Bikini March' is planned for December the 9th, with organisers encouraging participants to put on "beachwear" and march to a Melbourne mosque.

But police are warning that the protest may be infiltrated by extremists.

Sabra Lane compiled this report.

SABRA LANE: March organiser, Christine Hawkins, describes herself as a Melbourne grandmother.

She says she was outraged by recent comments made by Sydney Sheikh Taj El Din Al Hilali, comparing scantily clad women to uncovered meat.

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: We're encouraging people to wear beachwear. The reason for that... we've called it the 'The Great Australian Bikini March' because it's got an interesting, iconic image for Australians that most Australians, you know, even from their childhoods remember summer holidays with great fondness, of going down to the beach, sitting in the sun, warm, swimming, lots of nice memories.

And that we're actually identified all the world for our beach culture, so it's a statement about maintaining our way of life through using the icon of beach culture.

And there's a bikini because of the comments made about "uncovered meat". So, basically what we're saying is look, we're not changing, we're Aussies. We're not going to be covering up to avoid rape.

SABRA LANE: It's a very provocative protest.

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: It's an honest protest. We've been... I don't know... one of the things that people haven't heard of... look, the uncovered meat statement is bad enough, but some of the other stuff he's said is absolutely outrageous.

SABRA LANE: The march will start at a park, and end at the Islamic Information and Support Centre in Brunswick in Melbourne.

Ms Hawkins says she doesn't know how many people will turn up to the event.

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: We're actually going to be calling on the Government to bring in new citizenship legislation, so that extremists can be weeded out either coming into the country, or if they're here, get rid of them.

We don't need this in our country, we've got a beautiful country, people come from all over the world to settle in Australia because they want freedom.

SABRA LANE: You're not worried that your event is going to be infiltrated by white supremacists? They've already sabotaged part of your website.

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: I realise that, yes, I realise that. Of course, we want that to happen, but we're hoping that by asking everybody else to come, okay? By saying, "listen, don't let the white supremacists be the only ones that turn up, everybody come."

And that way they will be very much a minority, and we're going to be working very closely with the police. And let me tell you that we will be working so closely with the police, if there's any trouble from anyone, we'll be handing them over.

SABRA LANE: December 9 is the first anniversary of the Cronulla race riots in Sydney.

White supremacists have already hacked the protest's website, there are also reports that police are concerned the event will be infiltrated by extremists.

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: Melbourne is not a particularly violent place. Look, most of... look, there were those anarchists that turned up at the last demonstration. It was at the, what do they call it, G-20. But look, as far as I know, they were mostly from outside. Melbourne is not known for a lot of violence.

SABRA LANE: Christine, what's your own background?

CHRISTINE HAWKINS: I won't go into that. Look, you can understand that there may be some loose cannons out there, so I don't really want to give you too much about that because I don't really want to... but I'm a grandmother of two.

I'm a veteran bikini wearer, I run a small business. What else can I tell you? I don't belong to any group.

SABRA LANE: Waleed Aly is a board member of Victoria's Islamic Council.

WALEED ALY: To be honest, it's the kind of response that isn't terribly surprising given recent news and recent comments that have been made concerning women and dress and so on.

It's a sort of, very reactionary, irreverent-type response that, while I think it's perhaps unfortunate, it doesn't surprise me terribly.

SABRA LANE: The website for this group has already been hacked by white supremacists. Are you concerned that they might try and hijack the event on the day?

WALEED ALY: Yeah, that's much more of a concern to me. I think that something that we've been perhaps ignoring over the last probably year or so, has been the growing boldness of white supremacist groups.

I think there's a real danger of that occurring and I think that's something that needs to be thought about very, very carefully and watched carefully because the last thing we need is that toxic kind of ideology coming into the social mix in this country, and being expressed in this sort of form.

That's potentially very dangerous and divisive, and you could really cause a lot of social problems.

SABRA LANE: The organisers say that it's not timed to mark the first anniversary of Cronulla, but it does fall on the eve of the Cronulla riots. Are you concerned about that?

WALEED ALY: I was immediately... that was the first thing that struck me when I heard the date. Look, I'm not too much concerned about the timing of it, I think that that's just is sort of an added dimension that maybe it is, maybe it isn't, and that's for people to read into.

But I think I'm just more concerned about the substance of the issue, and what might actually transpire and whether or not it is actually going to be something that's helpful to community relations.

ELEANOR HALL: And that's Waleed Aly, from Victoria's Islamic Council, ending that report by Sabra Lane.

I am not sure this is a very good idea.Sounds a little bit like a moronic protest thought up in the heat of the moment. Thoughts???
Cluichstan
07-12-2006, 17:58
I really don't need to see grandmothers in bikinis.
Eve Online
07-12-2006, 18:00
If the women are hot looking, I'll be watching with interest.

Otherwise, it's a fucking mistake.
Call to power
07-12-2006, 18:02
"I unreservedly apologise to any woman who is offended by my comments. I had only intended to protect women's honour," he said in a statement published in The Australian.

"Women in our Australian society have the freedom and the right to dress as they choose," he added.

Muslim leaders decided to accept his apology and said that no action would be taken against the cleric.

so why are these women protesting? And its good to see Muslims leaders where thinking of taking action against the cleric (even if it is censorship IMHO)
Pax dei
07-12-2006, 18:06
so why are these women protesting? And its good to see Muslims leaders where thinking of taking action against the cleric (even if it is censorship IMHO)

BBQs in Brunswick
From The Islamic Information and Support Centre of Australia:

heme: Uniting Australia
Sausage Sizzle with the wider community
Date: 9th of December, Saturday
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Venue: 19 Michael St, Brunswick

We would like to extend an open invitation to join the community of Moreland city in a “sausage sizzle” to stand up against racism and sexual assault. Our wonderful state prides itself on the diverse cultures, ethnic communities all living and working harmoniously together. Our organization has coordinated with the Moreland city council and other community groups a “get together”, appropriately titled “Uniting Australia”.

The purpose of the event is to break down barriers and show appreciation for the community support in solidarity, received from the people of Moreland and greater Melbourne. The event is open to the general public and all are welcome.

The event has been organized due to the overwhelming support from both the Muslim and non-Muslim community in light of the planned ‘Bikini march’ which was to coincide with the anniversary of the Cronulla riots in Sydney. This march has since been cancelled. Despite this, we have decided to continue with the community gathering. The event will be very helpful in building community relationships.

The Moreland Council is fully supportive of this event and has given a permit for it to go ahead.

We look forward to meeting you on this day and thank you for your support in making this a great afternoon for all. Please contact our office if you should have any queries.

It does appear that one muppet making silly comments will make another muppet over react.Considering the above article it seems a little over the top.(don't really know about muslims eating sausages though unless there beef or something);)
Call to power
07-12-2006, 18:09
muslims eating sausages though unless there beef or something

I shall educate you with a joke: Muslims. can't eat beef, is-lam alright? :D
Cluichstan
07-12-2006, 18:12
I shall educate you with a joke: Muslims. can't eat beef, is-lam alright? :D

No, it's pork that's forbidden, not beef. It's Hindus that don't eat beef.
The Potato Factory
07-12-2006, 18:13
I'm pretty sure muslims can eat beef. It's pork they can't eat.

Hindus are the ones who often abstain from beef.
Cluichstan
07-12-2006, 18:16
I'm pretty sure muslims can eat beef. It's pork they can't eat.

Hindus are the ones who often abstain from beef.

Wow...that's the second time today that's happened. Y'all gotta be quicker. ;)
The Nazz
07-12-2006, 18:18
I think it was a terrific idea that was poorly planned. I don't know anything about the riots they mentioned, but obviously they were a big deal, and that should have been taken into account.
The Potato Factory
07-12-2006, 18:20
I think it was a terrific idea that was poorly planned. I don't know anything about the riots they mentioned, but obviously they were a big deal, and that should have been taken into account.

Yeah, white Australians sort of told the world how they felt, with fire and beer.
Soviet Haaregrad
07-12-2006, 18:31
No, it's pork that's forbidden, not beef. It's Hindus that don't eat beef.

Is-lam/It's lamb? Harhar, get it?
New Mitanni
07-12-2006, 19:17
It's a salutary development and should be continued and disseminated worldwide.

Maybe the women should invade that mosque and start dancing. If AIDS protesters can invade St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC, why not a similar strategy in Melbourne? Oh, I forgot--the Catholics didn't KILL anybody :p

And that Waleed Aly's remark about injecting a "toxic ideology" into Australia is risible given the ideology he himself is affiliated with.
Boonytopia
08-12-2006, 06:57
Interesting. When is this bikini march through Melbourne happening? I might have to chuck a sicky.
Hamilay
08-12-2006, 06:59
But police are warning that the protest may be infiltrated by extremists.
This made me think of old bearded clerics in bikinis. Ugh. *shudders*
New Xero Seven
08-12-2006, 07:21
Uncovered meat = women in bikini?
No way.
Uncovered meat = women nekkid!
Yes!

:)