ANIC president Imam Shadi Alsuleiman appointed to NSW Faith Affairs Council
An Islamic leader who has aired inflammatory views on homosexuality and extramarital sex has been appointed to a faith affairs council set to advise the NSW government.
An Islamic leader who has aired inflammatory views on homosexuality and extramarital sex – describing them as “spreading all these diseases” – has been appointed to a faith affairs council set to advise the NSW government on policy impacting religious groups, as well as security.
Australian National Imams Council president Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, the Islamic community’s representative on the non-binding advisory board, has failed to respond to questions from The Australian about his reaction to hate speech from radical clerics.
This masthead revealed in 2016 Mr Alsuleiman views on homosexuality and extramarital sex, where, in a 2013 sermon, he said homosexuality was responsible for “spreading all these diseases”.
It comes as the NSW government revealed the makeup of the “landmark” Faith Affairs Council, composed of 19 religious leaders from different denominations, with 12, including Mr Alsuleiman, nominated by their denominations.
The council will first meet in December and provide advice and counsel to Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper on policy that impacts faith groups, but also on harmony and security.
The imam’s inclusion comes amid a failure from him and the organisation he leads to condemn radical hate sermons. The Australian has previously contacted Mr Alsuleiman – in his leadership capacity at ANIC – to ask for his reaction to the hate sermons at the Al Madina Dawah Centre, but received no response.
On Tuesday, The Australian was contacted by lawyers who said they were acting on behalf of Mr Alsuleiman, asking to be sent questions to “advise” the ANIC president. The Australian advised the lawyer that Mr Alsuleiman was already aware of the questions posed but had yet to provide answers.
ANIC was also asked if it condemned its employee Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun’s October 8 sermon at Lakemba, but failed to comment.
Sheikh Dadoun is ANIC’s PR director and was pictured at the pro-Palestine Lakemba rally saying he was “elated”.
“It’s a day of courage, it’s a day of resistance, it’s a day of pride, it’s a day of victory. This is the day we’ve been waiting for,” the sheikh said at the time.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who hosted the imam after his comments on homosexuality were aired by The Australian, said they were “wrong … and I condemn them”.
Mr Alsuleiman said if people committed extramarital sex in the open, “Allah will send on them diseases they’ve never experienced before. And most of the diseases these days, if you speak to a doctor, he’ll tell you the most terrifying disease comes from what? From sexual activities, where they, someone who is not clean sleeping with someone who is clean. Or also homosexuality that’s spreading all these diseases.”
“These are evil actions, that bring upon evil outcomes to our society.”
In a statement at the time, Mr Alsuleiman said: “I reject the claim that I made statements wishing or wanting punishment against the gay community... I have previously noted passages in the holy Koran which do not support homosexuality. However, I always follow such statements with a personal commitment to tolerance and encouragement that all Muslims and all people approach all individuals, no matter their faith, race or sexuality, in a considerate and respectful way.”
It is understood Minister Kamper does not agree with Mr Alsuleiman’s historical views on homosexuality and extramarital sex.
“Members on this council have said things I don’t agree with and they will say things in the future I don’t agree with,” the minister said.
“We expect members to represent their communities, but also to deliver on their commitment to interfaith co-operation and inclusion.”
Members of the council have backed the imam’s inclusion.
“His contribution to NSW, his community and the faith space have been outstanding,” Faith NSW CEO Murray Norman said.
The organisation released a statement on October 13 that called for “national unity and harmony”, and which was signed by Mr Alsuleiman, saying it “unequivocally rejected any form of hate speech, and violence, including protests that vilify or incite hatred”.
“That statement would not have been able to happen without Mr Asuleiman’s input, he has built bridges across groups – we need people like him speaking into his community,” Mr Norman said.
Reverend Dr Michael Stead, the council’s Anglican representative, said he “respected and valued” the work the imam had done “bringing our faiths together”.
The advisory council, although non-binding, would provide counsel to the minister, and a forum dialogue on faith-related matters.
“It provides us with a path forward through the challenging issues facing our multi-faith communities – and to provide the government with a singular voice,” Mr Kamper said.
“Our communities want harmony, peace and understanding.”
ANIC and Mr Alsuleiman were contacted.
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