Australia's Muslim leaders blast PM Abbott's remarks

Islamic leaders in Australia have censured Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s remarks about the country’s Muslim community, accusing him of “scapegoating” an entire community and inciting “ill-feeling.”

The criticism came on Monday after Abbott said in a national security address that Muslim leaders and the community should do more to combat extremism.

Abbott said, "Everybody, including Muslim community leaders, needs to speak up clearly because, no matter what the grievance, violence against innocents must surely be a blasphemy against all religion."

The Islamic Council of Victoria condemned Abbott’s remarks, saying it was one in several community bodies which had constantly denounced all forms of violence and extremism.

"The PM's lack of acknowledgement or appreciation of Muslim community leaders and members who volunteer their time to consult with all levels of government and enforcement agencies misleads and incites ill-feeling from the broader community," said the council’s spokesman Kuranda Seyit.

The Islamic Council also urged other community organizations to pressure the prime minister to promote national unity and to "cease scapegoating one segment of our society."

The head of the Arab Council of Australia, Randa Kattan, said Abbott’s remarks were “promoting hatred and inflaming racism” and were “dog-whistling to the racists out there.”

“It’s not helpful, it’s divisive. It labels our community as being responsible for the actions of a few,” said Kattan, adding, “How much more can we condemn?”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamadu Nawas Saleem, spokesman for the Australian National Imams Council, also condemned Abbott’s statements, saying community intervention had a better successful rate than the security agencies in identifying people who have become extremists.

“It is because of the efforts of imams that Australia is safe,” said Saleem, adding that the prime minister’s remarks “demonize Muslims at large.”

Furthermore, the head of the Lebanese Muslim association, Samier Dandan, said the community “has had enough” of Abbott using national security as a way of “scapegoating” Muslims, noting the community had done everything possible to condemn violent extremism.

Meanwhile, the country’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop backed away from Abbott’s statements in a question time session.

“I want to applaud members of our Muslim community here in Australia who are taking a stand against extremism and working with the government, with mosques and community groups to keep our people safe,” said Bishop.

More than 100 Australians are among the 15,000 foreigners that have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside ISIL militants or other Takfiri terrorists. Australia has voiced concern that Australian militants coming with experience from Syria and Iraq may carry out terrorist attacks after they return home.

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