Victoria’s peak Islamic body has defended a controversial Muslim conference to be held in Melbourne this weekend.
The Islamic Council of Victoria is disappointed with the reaction of politicians and other commentators to the Australian Islamic Peace Conference to be staged at Melbourne Showgrounds.
Last week, state Multicultural Affairs Minister Nick Kotsiras warned organisers they could face prosecution if racial and religious vilification laws were broken.
This followed reports a keynote speaker would be the so-called imam of Mecca, Dr Abdul Rahman al-Sudais who has reportedly made anti-Semitic comments including describing Jews as “scum” and “pigs and monkeys”.
But a spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor has confirmed Dr al-Sudais has not lodged a visa application.
“Should he do so, he will have to meet the character, national security, health and any other criteria attached to the visa that he applies for, as will any other applicants,” she said.
Online bloggers have accused conference organisers of “collecting thousands of dollars” from the Muslim community on the basis that Dr al-Sudais will attend.
The Islamic Council, which is supporting the conference but not organising it, is worried by the attacks.
Board member Mohamad Tabbaa said the blogs were not verified.
“We don’t actually know if they are coming from the Islamic community. We are aware of them but they are just completely random,” he said.
Mr Tabbaa said his group was also concerned about double standards in response to the recent visit of anti-Islamic Dutch MP Geert Wilders compared to reaction to the Muslim conference.
“Most, if not all, commentators regarding Wilders defended his right to free speech even if they didn’t agree with his views,” he said.
“Whereas they’re not saying that in relation to this conference.”
Conference organisers did not return calls, however, it is believed they are preparing a media release on reaction to the event.