Share and Follow
This morning, during an interview with Sydney’s 2GB radio, he clarified that his suggestion is not unprecedented, noting that Anglican ministers already undergo similar training and accreditation processes.
“What I’m advocating for is accountability among religious leaders across all faiths regarding the teachings within their communities,” he remarked.
“Their teachings must be correct, constructive, and in English, ensuring transparency about what is being communicated,” he added.
“It’s essential that Imams and other Islamic religious leaders step up to address and tackle the challenging issues that exist,” he continued.
However, Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, President of the Australian National Imams Council, criticized these remarks as “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply misinformed,” emphasizing the nation’s “shared responsibility” for maintaining public safety and social harmony.
Australian National Imams Council President Imam Shadi Alsuleiman said the comments were “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply ill-informed”, adding that the country had a “shared responsibility” to protect public safety and social cohesion.
“It is profoundly disappointing to hear such divisive language from a former prime minister who understands, better than most, the importance of unity, social cohesion, and responsible leadership,” he said.
“To suggest that an entire faith community should be held accountable for the actions of two criminal offenders, both of whom law enforcement agencies have confirmed acted alone, is unacceptable and categorically rejected.”
Alsuleiman said Australian Muslims were living the “real-world consequences” of this type of political rhetoric.
“Islamophobia does not require spectacular acts of violence to be harmful,” he said.
“Ill-informed or inflammatory language has contributed to a documented rise in Islamophobic incidents, including online abuse, verbal and physical attacks on Muslim women, assaults on Imams and community leaders, arson attacks on homes, and threats and vandalism directed at mosques.”
Labor minister Pat Conroy told the ABC it was unfair to hold the entire Muslim community responsible for people who believed “an extreme perversion of Islam”.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
