Support for Australian Prime Minister John Howard's proposal to require a pledge supporting Australian values by immigrants seeking citizenship was strengthened this week after a controversial sermon by an Islamic cleric in Australia. (Khaleej Times (Sunday).) Howard wants immigrants to show support for democracy, the rule of law and the equality of men and women. The controversial sermon (full text) was delivered by Sheikh Taj Aldin Al Hilali, Australia's most senior Muslim cleric. His Ramadan remarks, aimed at immodest dress, have been seen as blaming women for rape. He described women who did not wear a head covering as "uncovered meat", and said "If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside... and the cats come and eat it... whose fault is it, the cats' or the uncovered meat?"
Subsequently Hilali and his spokepersons have both tried to explain the remarks and have apologized for them, as leading Muslim women condemned the remarks. Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Pru Goward, said the comments could be an incitement to crime. (BBC News (Thursday).) In an effort to prevent further fallout, it was announced Friday that Hilali will not preach sermons for the next two to three months. (Baku Today (Friday).)
