Australia’s peak imams body says it is “deeply concerned” after a Melbourne-based Islamic preacher appeared to urge followers to “take up arms against his enemies” and avoid befriending Jews and Christians.
The Australian National Imams’ Council (ANIC) issued a statement on Tuesday, following revelations by Nine Newspapers that the preacher, known as Abu Ahmad, delivered the remarks during a July sermon.
In a video posted to the social media feed of Melbourne’s Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre, Abu Ahmad read from a book chapter warning Muslims not to “take the Jews and the Christians for friends.”
“For the sake of Allah, it includes the obligation to declare enmity for his sake, opposition for the sake of Allah. It is to declare opposition, indeed, to take up arms against his enemies, to shun them, and to stay far from them both in word and deed. This proves that simple opposition of the spirit is not enough and that it must be complete by honouring of your commitment,” he said.
“If the aim of the enemies of Islam, whether they are atheists, or Jews, or Christians, or modernists, or Zionists, or communists, is the emasculation of … the Muslims and the erosion of their unique character in order to make them the ass of the chosen people, as it is put in the protocols of the elders of Zion, then the urgency of this issue should become clear to every Muslim,” he said.
On Monday, the Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre posted an Instagram statement from the preacher.
“The statements the article is attributing to me were from a passage of a book that I was reading during a lesson on al-Walāʾ wal-Barāʾ. They were not a personal call from me for Muslims to attack Christians, Jews or other non-Muslims,” the post signed off by Ahmad said.
The post attached a video he described as an “explanation of that very passage from the same lesson” and explained it “does not permit harming, oppressing or being unjust towards peaceful non-Muslims.”
“Unfortunately, quoting the book without including the explanation that followed gives a completely different impression of what was being taught,” the post said.
ANIC stated it “strongly and unequivocally condemns any call by any religious or non-religious preacher, leader or individual to take up arms against civilians, religious communities or the Australian people.”
The council said it would not make findings about the “individual or the precise context of the reported remarks” until it could properly review the material.
ANIC reiterated that it “categorically rejects incitement to violence, hatred or harm against any person or community.”
“The safety, security and wellbeing of Australia and the Australian people are fundamental responsibilities that Australian Muslims, Imams and religious leaders must uphold. Islamic teachings require Muslims to honour the sanctity of human life, fulfil their responsibilities to society and contribute positively to the communities and country in which they live.”
The peak body called on all religious leaders, regardless of faith, to exercise responsibility in their public statements. It added that the alleged conduct of an individual should not be used to condemn or blame an entire faith or community.
The Albanese government was forced to abandon anti-vilification laws that would have given authorities greater powers to crack down on religious leaders who promote hatred on the basis of religion, race, gender or sexuality after it failed to secure support from the Nationals and the Greens.
On Tuesday, independent federal MP Allegra Spender told Nine newspapers the comments showed “why we needed stronger and nationally consistent hate speech legislation.”