Islamic council cancels online Afghanistan forum

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has agreed to cancel an online forum which originally touted two members of the Taliban as guest speakers.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has agreed to cancel an online forum which originally touted two members of the Taliban as guest speakers.

In a joint statement on Thursday morning Premier Dominic Perrottet and Multicultural Minister Natalie Ward said: “The NSW Government has contacted the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils over its plans to host two members of the Taliban for an online forum intended for the Australian Muslim community.

“We asked AFIC to cancel this event and they have agreed to do so.

“The NSW community is currently opening its arms to refugees and Australian repatriates from Afghanistan.

“We join Muslim community leaders in NSW, and especially Afghan community leaders, in condemning events of this kind.

“We are relieved for all members of our community that this event has been cancelled and look forward to a continued constructive relationship with AFIC.

Earlier the AFIC had agreed to uninvite two members of the Taliban who were due to speak at the online forum on Afghanistan this Saturday.

The move came after phone call between AFIC CEO Keysar Trad and Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alex Hawke in which the minister is understood to have said that “the government would not accept any excuses for this going ahead with the Taliban.”

It is understood that among the issues canvassed during the conversation were the possible danger to social cohesion, the fact that most Muslims do not support the Taliban, and the potential trauma to Afghan refugees.

”I thank AFIC for listening closely to the Australian government and the Australian community,” Mr Hawke.

”And I welcome their guarantee not to give a platform to the Taliban now or at any future event,” he said.

PERROTTET ‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’

Premier Dominic Perrottet said he is “deeply concerned” after The Daily Telegraph revealed that Australia’s peak body for Muslims invited its members to an online forum featuring at least one member of the Taliban.

Mr Perrottet has asked Multicultural Minister Natalie Ward to contact the Islamic Council to address concerns about the event.

“There will be a lot of people today who have served in Afghanistan, who have had loved ones lost fighting in Afghanistan, who will be deeply shocked and sad to see that report today,” he said.

“I am deeply concerned.”

Suhail Shaheen of the Taliban’s political office is among the panel members. Photo: Sergei Savostyanov\\TASS via Getty Images

TALIBAN SPOKESMAN PROMOTED IN FLYER

An online flyer for the event says it welcomes attendees whether they’re “in favour or against” the recent developments involving the radical Islamic regime.

The event, entitled, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Diaspora Muslims”, is scheduled to be streamed live on the Facebook page of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Saturday night.

Among the panel members are Sheik Suhail Shaheen, who has been the Taliban’s official spokesman since the hard-line Islamic group took over Afghanistan in August in the wake of a chaotic US withdrawal.

An invitation to a forum on Afghanistan held by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, featuring members of the Taliban.

Also listed on the panel is Sheik Sayed Abdul Basir Sabiri, whose affiliation is listed as “the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”

The invitation calls for members to join what it calls a “stellar panel of speakers”, adding participants are welcome “whether we are in favour or against recent developments”, suggesting a level of local community support for the Taliban.

Others on the panel include Dr Rateb Jneid, president of AFIC, and the National Grand Mufti of Australia, Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari.

Thousands of Afghans have been trying to escape misery at home have been stopped by the Taliban. Picture: AFP

FORUM PROMPTS OUTRAGE

“Given the massive sacrifice of not just Australia and our allies, but millions of local Afghans who stood up against the brutality of the Taliban, no Australian should be facilitating an attempt to spin this appalling regime,” said Liberal Victorian Senator James Paterson, who chairs the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

“Australia does not recognise the legitimacy of the Taliban and neither should the organisers of this event,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Liberal Queensland MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson.

Taliban fighters stand guard at the entrance gate of a police district in Kabul. Picture: AFP

“AFIC has done great work in the past with disaster relief, but I do think they’ve mis-stepped here,” he.

“The Taliban are terrorists. This illegitimate government took a nation by force and who still don’t allow girls to go to school should not be given a platform to discuss what they need from Australia or what they need from other Western countries.”

“We’ve heard the Taliban say they would allow free access in and out of the country, that is false, that there would be no reprisals, that is false too.

“The spokesman they have invited has said that stonings will continue. They should not be given a platform, they are a disgrace and an illegitimate government.”

‘Disgusted’ … Shadow Minister for Counter Terrorism Walt Secord wants forum shut down.

SECORD URGES PM, PERROTTET TO SHUT EVENT DOWN

Shadow Minister for Police and Shadow Minister for Counter Terrorism Walt Secord said the Perrottet and Morrison governments should shut down this irresponsible event immediately.

“This event looks like a road map to radicalisation,” Mr Secord said.

“I am absolutely disgusted that any organisation in Australia would provide a platform to the Taliban and their primitive views.

“Make no mistake, this event is absolutely irresponsible and downright stupid.

“Last month, Cricket Australia cancelled the Afghanistan cricket team test match tour of Australia due to the Taliban’s refusal to allow women to play cricket. That is a principled stand on the views of the Taliban.

The Daily Telegraph has reached out to a number of Muslim community figures who suggested that AFIC should be focused on domestic issues and not, in the words of one, “trying to conduct foreign policy”.

A spokesman for AFIC said, “The words chosen on the flyer are words that are aimed to attract an audience and to tell the audience that their views are most likely to be challenged.

“The Afghan nationals will not be making a speech or giving a talk, they will be interviewed and they will answer questions.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet has been approached for comment.