THE Howard Government has intensified its pressure on Australia's most senior Islamic spiritual leader, Taj Din al-Hilali, demanding he consider leaving the country and step down from his position as mufti.Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer yesterday expressed outrage at Sheik Hilali's weekend visit to Tehran, during which he called on the Islamic world to unite behind the radical Iranian regime.
Muslim leaders from around Australia attacked the Egyptian-born cleric for becoming an "ongoing problem".
And Australian Federal Police are examining whether to involve state-based counter-terrorism agencies in their investigation of allegations that Sheik Hilali diverted Australian-raised charity funds to terrorism supporters in Lebanon last year.
The Australian revealed yesterday that Sheik Hilali had been quoted in the Iranian media as calling on Muslims worldwide to serve in Iran's "trenches" and not "kneel" to its enemies. It was the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged the mufti.
"The Australian community has lost patience with the sheik," Mr Andrews said.
"The sheik needs to say if he wishes to continue as a citizen of Australia or reside in an alternate country."
Mr Downer said Sheik Hilali had "become a completely discredited figure" in Australia and was causing embarrassment to this country.
"Sheik Hilali is damaging the standing of the Muslim community in Australia and beyond," he said. "And the sooner they find a more credible spokesman for the Islamic community than Sheik Hilali, the better."
Mr Downer questioned whether Sheik Hilali's support for Iran meant he also supported their backing of terrorist attacks by organisations such as Hezbollah in the Middle East.
Australia's top female Muslim leader, Aziza Abdel-Halim, blamed the "hopeless" Australian National Imams Council for its decision two weeks ago to allow Sheik Hilali to stay in his position as mufti for another three months.
She said his reported comments in Iran were "tactless" and threatened to further divide Muslim Australia from mainstream society.
Haset Sali, a lawyer for the Federation of Islamic Councils who was on the board that appointed Sheik Hilali as mufti 18 years ago, said he had "placed himself and the community in an untenable position and certainly he does not represent the thinking of the overwhelming majority".
"If the man has any sort of dignity he will bow out now," he told the ABC's 7.30 Report last night.
It was revealed last week that Sheik Hilali had handed out $US38,000 ($46,000) of Australian-raised charity funds in Lebanon last year, of which he gave $US10,000 to a political leader with links to al-Qa'ida and Hezbollah.
The money, raised by the Sydney-based Lebanese Muslim Association and other Islamic bodies, is the subject of an AFP investigation.
Senior Muslim leader Ameer Ali said Sheik Hilali was becoming an "ongoing problem" for the community and would best serve his people by leaving his spiritual post as mufti.
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