Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton has called on the Australian Federal Police to urgently investigate Melbourne Islamic preacher Abu Ahmad and, if the evidence establishes an offence, charge him over reported remarks urging Muslims to “take up arms” against the enemies of Allah.
The Age/SMH and News24 today reported that Abu Ahmad, a preacher associated with Melbourne’s Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre, told followers in a July sermon not to take “the Jews and the Christians for friends” and spoke of an obligation “to take up arms against his enemies”.
“This is chilling language which demands an urgent response from law enforcement,” Mr Shelton said.
“Australians should not have to tolerate preachers using places of worship or social media platforms to promote hostility towards Christians, Jews or anyone else, let alone language about taking up arms.
“The AFP should examine the full, unedited sermon and all relevant material and determine whether Commonwealth criminal laws have been breached. If the evidence establishes an offence, Abu Ahmad should be charged.
“Australia has religious freedom, but religious freedom is not a licence to incite violence.
“If Islam is a religion of peace, Australian Muslim leaders should be among the strongest voices condemning rhetoric about taking up arms against Jews and Christians.
“There should be no ambiguity. There should be no excuses. Muslim community leaders should make clear that incitement to violence against people because of their faith has no place in Australia.
“Someone found to be inciting religious violence should not be free to continue preaching that message in Australian Islamic worship centres.
