GreaterPacificNations
21-01-2007, 05:22
What you say?!
An upsetting yet promising turn of events has come to surface regarding Mufti Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly (Yes, that idiotic 'leader' of the Australian muslim community who likened women to meat, men to cats, and purported the idea that muslims have more right to Australia because Anglo-Aussies arrived in chains).
He has basically announced his retirement from his position as Mufti. He has offered the BS reason that he wants to make way for 'new blood' and that he thinks it is time for the 'old guard' to step aside. The reality is that he has been facing pressure to resign everywhere he turns (except Egypt, where he currently is staying), not the least coming from the Australian muslim community that are now suffering the aftermath of his loose jaw.
Anyhow, this seems like good news, right? Kinda. Simultaneous to his announcement of his retirement as mufti comes his revelation of political ambitions. In a dramatic turn of events, Hilaly is planning to run for 3 seperate electorates in the heart of sydney's islamic community. Incidentally, one of the three electorate he is aiming for is currently held by Morris Iemma, the current premier of New South Wales.
So, in Short, The notoriously bigoted and unpopular head of the Australian muslim community has folded to widespread pressure to resign, only to run against the electorate belonging to the current Premier of NSW.
This could have one of two results. Morris Iemma, the relatively popular Premier could see a boost in his popularity when squared up next to Sheik Hilaly, a much need PR bonus after a bit of negative press on the Sydney railway problems (One of the things he promised to fix during election, which have become worse, and now slowly a little better). The major benefit of this result is that Hilaly is likely to fade into obscurity if unsuccessful in securing an electorate.
The other way this could swing is that the muslim community could actually elect Hilaly (either because they aren't as disgruntled with him as they seem, or because they may overlook his flaws in order to have 'one of their own' batting for them in government). This undesirable, but not discountable result could have Hilaly smearing his shit all over the Australian government too.
Linky (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mufti-v-iemma-shock-showdown-for-premiers-seat/2007/01/20/1169096030968.html)
CONTROVERSIAL Muslim leader Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly is planning an assault on three Labor seats in the state election - including that held by Premier Morris Iemma.
Sheik Hilaly is considering running against Mr Iemma in Lakemba, a safe Labor seat and the heart of Sydney's Islamic community, in the March 24 election.
He will also endorse Muslim candidates for the seats of Bankstown and Auburn, held by Labor's Tony Stewart and Barbara Perry. Speaking from Egypt last week, Sheik Hilaly gave the strongest indication yet that he may stand down as mufti.
"There must be a shake-up with new blood to be rid of the old guard and bring new blood, including the position of mufti," he told SBS Arabic radio.
"The position of mufti is a spiritual position that requires understanding of the faith, and an Australian heart that understands the issues - even if we create an Iftaa council until we find the appropriately qualified person."
Sheik Hilaly would not name candidates or reveal if he would stand for the seat. However, a close friend, Keysar Trad, said the Mufti was considering it.
"If the community intimates its desire to run him, we would expect him to accede to the community's wishes," he said, adding it was time the Muslim community took the election seriously.
"It is time that politics in NSW received a good shake-up and Iemma's dilemma will be in the Lakemba voters who are dissatisfied with the shortage of facilities and services and will vote accordingly," he said.
"Lakemba is the one of the most neglected electorates in NSW. These major political parties need a really good shake-up and there is no-one like the mufti to give them that shake-up."
The mufti told the Arabic program: "I am consulting with some of the brothers and, on my return, we will agree to nominate a sincere, honest Australian personality whose loyalty is totally to Australia and who is able to make contributions to the Lakemba electorate and NSW in general."
Mr Iemma said he was looking forward to going head to head with Sheik Hilaly. "I'm confident the majority of my electorate, including the majority of Muslim constituents, would back my views every day," he said.
In Lakemba, the Muslim community makes up nearly 13 per cent (8264) of the electorate. Mr Iemma won 64.21 per cent (24,060) of the 39,093 votes cast in the 2003 election.
*Sigh*
An upsetting yet promising turn of events has come to surface regarding Mufti Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly (Yes, that idiotic 'leader' of the Australian muslim community who likened women to meat, men to cats, and purported the idea that muslims have more right to Australia because Anglo-Aussies arrived in chains).
He has basically announced his retirement from his position as Mufti. He has offered the BS reason that he wants to make way for 'new blood' and that he thinks it is time for the 'old guard' to step aside. The reality is that he has been facing pressure to resign everywhere he turns (except Egypt, where he currently is staying), not the least coming from the Australian muslim community that are now suffering the aftermath of his loose jaw.
Anyhow, this seems like good news, right? Kinda. Simultaneous to his announcement of his retirement as mufti comes his revelation of political ambitions. In a dramatic turn of events, Hilaly is planning to run for 3 seperate electorates in the heart of sydney's islamic community. Incidentally, one of the three electorate he is aiming for is currently held by Morris Iemma, the current premier of New South Wales.
So, in Short, The notoriously bigoted and unpopular head of the Australian muslim community has folded to widespread pressure to resign, only to run against the electorate belonging to the current Premier of NSW.
This could have one of two results. Morris Iemma, the relatively popular Premier could see a boost in his popularity when squared up next to Sheik Hilaly, a much need PR bonus after a bit of negative press on the Sydney railway problems (One of the things he promised to fix during election, which have become worse, and now slowly a little better). The major benefit of this result is that Hilaly is likely to fade into obscurity if unsuccessful in securing an electorate.
The other way this could swing is that the muslim community could actually elect Hilaly (either because they aren't as disgruntled with him as they seem, or because they may overlook his flaws in order to have 'one of their own' batting for them in government). This undesirable, but not discountable result could have Hilaly smearing his shit all over the Australian government too.
Linky (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/mufti-v-iemma-shock-showdown-for-premiers-seat/2007/01/20/1169096030968.html)
CONTROVERSIAL Muslim leader Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly is planning an assault on three Labor seats in the state election - including that held by Premier Morris Iemma.
Sheik Hilaly is considering running against Mr Iemma in Lakemba, a safe Labor seat and the heart of Sydney's Islamic community, in the March 24 election.
He will also endorse Muslim candidates for the seats of Bankstown and Auburn, held by Labor's Tony Stewart and Barbara Perry. Speaking from Egypt last week, Sheik Hilaly gave the strongest indication yet that he may stand down as mufti.
"There must be a shake-up with new blood to be rid of the old guard and bring new blood, including the position of mufti," he told SBS Arabic radio.
"The position of mufti is a spiritual position that requires understanding of the faith, and an Australian heart that understands the issues - even if we create an Iftaa council until we find the appropriately qualified person."
Sheik Hilaly would not name candidates or reveal if he would stand for the seat. However, a close friend, Keysar Trad, said the Mufti was considering it.
"If the community intimates its desire to run him, we would expect him to accede to the community's wishes," he said, adding it was time the Muslim community took the election seriously.
"It is time that politics in NSW received a good shake-up and Iemma's dilemma will be in the Lakemba voters who are dissatisfied with the shortage of facilities and services and will vote accordingly," he said.
"Lakemba is the one of the most neglected electorates in NSW. These major political parties need a really good shake-up and there is no-one like the mufti to give them that shake-up."
The mufti told the Arabic program: "I am consulting with some of the brothers and, on my return, we will agree to nominate a sincere, honest Australian personality whose loyalty is totally to Australia and who is able to make contributions to the Lakemba electorate and NSW in general."
Mr Iemma said he was looking forward to going head to head with Sheik Hilaly. "I'm confident the majority of my electorate, including the majority of Muslim constituents, would back my views every day," he said.
In Lakemba, the Muslim community makes up nearly 13 per cent (8264) of the electorate. Mr Iemma won 64.21 per cent (24,060) of the 39,093 votes cast in the 2003 election.
*Sigh*