Sophie Gosper From: The Australian
September 17, 2012 12:00AM
Sheik Mohamadu Saleem at the Werribee Mosque in Victoria. Picture: David Geraghty Source: The Australian
THE Victorian Board of Imams will hold a meeting this week to introduce a range of measures to prevent violent protests among Melbourne's Muslims.
The imams, who will meet today or tomorrow, say they will preach in their sermons on Friday that there is no place within Islam, or within Australia, for such violence. Mohamadu Saleem, a spokesman for both the Victorian board and the Australian National Imams Council, told The Australian: "There is a consensus among the imams that demonstrations have to be peaceful, and that any violent protest has to be stopped immediately."
Scenes of violence erupted in Sydney's CBD on Saturday when hundreds of angry Muslims took to the streets in protest against a YouTube video mocking the prophet Mohammed that has triggered a string of deadly riots around the world.
Police used batons, capsicum spray and dogs to control protesters who carried signs such as "Behead all those who insult the prophet" and "Our dead are in paradise, your dead are in hell".
"Muslims are very upset and provoked by this film," Sheik Saleem said. "But as other political leaders in Middle-Eastern countries have said -- you are allowed to protest in any democratic country in a democratic way, but it has to be free of violence.
"Imams are in contact with each other and plan to have a meeting (today) or the day after to respond to this particular issue."
Sheik Saleem said he had so far not heard of any Islamic protests being planned in Victoria, but he did not rule out the possibility.
"I would urge anybody who is going to show their displeasure about this film that it should be completely and comprehensibly peaceful," he said.
He said he hoped that people elsewhere in Australia took some lessons from what happened in central Sydney.
Islamic Council of Victoria general manager Nail Aykan said the council was "appalled" by extremists who turned a peaceful protest into a dangerous riot.
"It is something that has concerned and disappointed everyone, not just Muslims here in Australia," Mr Aykan said.
"It's not just a NSW thing -- I think we all share the same sentiments that it was a terrible incident that took place.
"All it takes is 0.5 per cent of the population to start trouble."
