Australian Government Funded Centre for Excellence in Islam campaigns for release of Glasgow suspect Dr Mohamad Haneef
The Times of India has reported:
In a first sign of the Australian public getting into a debate on the Mohammed Haneef case, over 500 Australian citizens gathered at Griffith University, Queensland, on Sunday, proclaiming Bangalore-based doctor's "innocence."
Haneef's relative Imran Siddiqui told (Times of India) from Australia that the "turnout was huge" and comprised "all sections of the Australian public" - Christians, Hindus and Muslims. "They came in their hundreds. They would not have gathered on a Sunday morning had they not believed Haneef was innocent. Haneef's is now an Australian issue, not of a particular community."
Prior to Imran Siddiqui's arrival in Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported:
Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo says he is arriving earlier than expected to attend a forum at Griffith University about the case and Australia's counter-terrorism laws.
"I've just received a phone call from Imran," he said.
"He wants to go to the forum that is being held at Griffith University, and next week we hope to try [to gain] approval for him to visit Mohamed in the correctional centre."
(http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/21/1984459.htm?section=australia)
The ABC also reported, in regards to the Haneef forum:
Muslim community leader Dr Mohammed Abdalla said Haneef had not been treated fairly and the Government was using the Muslim community for political gain.
http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/22/1984954.htm?section=justin
Dr Mohammed Abdalla was a speaker and facilitator of one the public debates at that forum
(http://drjon.livejournal.com/882478.html)
Elsewhere Dr Mohammed Abdalla has been reported as having said many believed that if Haneef were not a Muslim, the anti-terrorism laws would not have applied to him. "Muslims are feeling now, many of them, particularly the vulnerable ones, who is going to be next?" he said."It creates a wedge, if you like – it creates a serious division."
(http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22096580-952,00.html)
I have previously written:
In January this year the Australian Government announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies which will amongst other things train imams. To receive funding from the Federal Government the Centre is required to adhere to objectives that " will include that the Centre does not promote any organisations or teachings supportive of violence and terror"(see http://www.dest.gov.au/Minister
A consortium comprising the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Griffith University and the University of Melbourne will host the Centre.
Griffith University's Islamic centre recently revealed links to the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), which is currently under investigation for financing terrorism.
The centre announced with some pride that its latest PhD candidate was the Distinguished Visiting Professor at Georgetown University, the IIIT's founder director, Dr Anwar Ibrahim.( http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/ertiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=7521)
Griffith University's Islamic centre is headed by Dr Mohamad Abdalla .
When announcing the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies the Australian Federal Minister for Education, Julie Bishop, said:
The negotiation of a funding agreement will include a requirement for the Centre to adhere to a clear set of objectives, against which it will report annually. Objectives will include that the Centre does not promote any organisations or teachings supportive of violence and terror.
(http://www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Bishop/2007/01/B003220107.asp)
Outwardly , the forum was organised by the Multi-Faith Centre, Griffith University. The forum issued a statement at the end of its deliberations, complete with the now obligatory catholic nun:
A community forum on the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef was held at the Multi-Faith Centre, Griffith University today. Director of the Centre, Professor Swee-Hin Toh was very pleased with the wide attendance at the forum, which canvassed many issues relating to the case.
At the conclusion of the forum, Sister Wendy Flannery presented the following joint statement on the case of Dr Haneef:
"As a testament to the breadth of public concern over the government's treatment of Dr Mohamad Haneef, academics, legal experts, medical professionals, civil libertarians, union representatives, representatives of community organisations - including Amnesty International, Queensland Council of Civil Liberties, and the Association of Australian Doctors Trained Overseas - Griffith University, religious leaders and faith groups, and members of the general public have come together to hold a forum on this issue.
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