KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - One of Australia's top Muslim clerics, who inflamed anti-Muslim sentiment by saying unveiled women were like uncovered meat, has called for an ethical hearing, saying he would quit if found guilty of justifying rape.
Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly, the mufti of Australia's biggest mosque in Sydney, angered community and political leaders and divided the country's 280,000 Muslims over the comments, made in a Ramadan sermon a month ago but only reported last week.
Calls for Hilaly to resign from his self-appointed position have come from both Muslim and non-Muslims.
In a statement issued at Friday prayers, Hilaly called for an impartial panel of a judge and two lawyers to decide if he had incited violence against women.
The Egyptian-born cleric said if he was found guilty of giving justification for the crime of rape, he would retire from his religious work and positions.
He also said he would "place masking tape on my mouth in public for a period of six months" and undertake 600 hours of community service in any women's organisation which provided social services.
"Any person, whatever his position may be, who justifies the crime of rape or encourages it under any circumstances, or whoever degrades Australian women for their dress, is nothing but an ignorant, foolish and crazy person who does not deserve to hold any position of responsibility, be it public or private, in our Australian society," Hilaly said in the statement.
Hilaly said if he was found innocent, he would continue to serve in his role and "enhance the path of co-existence and harmony between the Muslim community and Australian society".
Muslim leaders welcomed Hilaly's statement, saying they would organise a public hearing into his sermon. Thousands of Muslims applauded Hilaly after Friday prayers.
- REUTERS
