ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied forced to delete Anzac Day post asking Australians to think about Manus Island and Palestine

AN OUTSPOKEN Muslim leader is “at a loss” after ABC host Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s controversial Anzac Day message.

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AN outspoken Muslim leader is “at a loss” after ABC host Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s controversial Anzac Day message, as thousands sign a petition for her sacking.

The Daily Telegraph reports Abbas Aly, a spokesman for Imam Hasan Centre in Annangrove, north-west of Sydney, is struggling to deal with Abdel-Magied’s comments. He labelled them “damaging” and accused her of “seeking publicity”.

“On behalf of the Hills Muslim community and almost all others I can assure you that the words used by this person does not in any way reflect our views,” he said.

The ABC is standing by the Australia Wide presenter after she was forced to delete a social media post in which she suggested Australians should be thinking about Manus Island, Nauru, Syria and Palestine instead of the Anzacs.

But more than 12,000 people have signed a change.org petition to have her job at the public broadcaster terminated.

The 26-year-old took to Facebook this on Tuesday to write “Lest We Forget (Manus. Nauru. Syria. Palestine), but deleted the post after being slammed by her followers.

She quickly amended the post to simply say “Lest. We. Forget” and issued an apology.

“It was brought to my attention that my last post was disrespectful, and for that I unreservedly apologise,” she wrote.

Comments flooded in from followers disgusted by Abdel-Magied’s disrespect for Anzac Day prompting her to delete the post. The comment also prompted calls for her sacking.

The broadcaster acknowledged the post was “disrespectful”, but said Abdel-Magied acted appropriately.

The post, before it was deleted.

“Ms Abdel-Magied acknowledged that the timing and nature of the post was disrespectful. Her decision to delete it and apologise was appropriate,” an ABC spokeswoman told news.com.au.

The spokeswoman said Abdel-Magied was a “part-time presenter on the ABC” and that when presenting for the ABC she “works in accordance with ABC editorial and other policies”.

“Ms Abdel-Magied is also engaged in a range of other activities and work that is not related to the ABC. Her views and opinions in that capacity are her own and do not represent those of the ABC,” she said.

Yassmin Abdel-Magied: Issued a swift apology.

Abdel-Magied upset ABC viewers in February.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton slammed Ms Abdel-Magied’s comments, which were partly aimed at Australia’s asylum seeker detention arrangements on Manus Island and Nauru.

“It is a disgrace that on our most significant national day to mark the passing of people who have defended this country, this advocate seeks to make political mileage,” Mr Dutton told the Daily Telegraph.

Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz said the post was “unfortunate”, “disrespectful” and “deeply reprehensible”.

“Tens of thousands of Australians, from all walks of life, have gone to war and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Senator Abetz said.

“Today we pay tribute to them, not seek to use their sacrifice for cheap political point scoring as Ms Abdel Magied has done.”

Asylum seekers standing behind a fence at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea last month. Picture: AAP Image/Eoin Blackwell

Prior to deleting the post, Ms Abdel-Magied was slammed by her followers, and the outrage has continued.

“Absolutely disrespectful. This day isn’t for those people it’s for the brave service men and woman who have served/serving our great country so we can try and live a normal, safe life,” wrote Wilson Sam.

“Your previous post has completely discredited you. I’m ashamed that you are Australian because you clearly don’t share Australian values. Not only have you disrespected those who gave their lives so you can enjoy Australian freedoms and speak your mind, you have very clearly voiced your real agenda here,” wrote Libby Colubski.

Abdel-Magied came under fire in February after declaring on national TV that Islam was the “most feminist religion”.

“Islam, to me, is one of the most ... is the most, feminist religion, right?” she said on the Q & A program in February.

She sparked a heated row on the ABC’s Q & A program with Senator Jacqui Lambie, accused Abdel-Magied of “playing victim”.

Ms Lambie at the time said anyone who supports sharia law should be deported, to which Abdel-Magied responded that she was frustrated by people talking about Islam without knowing anything about it.

Originally published as ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied forced to delete Anzac Day post asking Australians to think about Manus Island and Palestine