Extremists use Howard's comments divisively

The president of the Islamic Charity Projects Association Dr. Ghayath Al-Shelh said:

“The Prime Minister, the moderate leaders and the Islamic Charity Projects Association reject all forms of aggression and wrong doing whether it comes from Muslims or non Muslims, anywhere in the world, not just in Australia.

“Mr. John Howard did specify that there are extremists who have been surfacing within the Muslim community. We agree that extreme views need to be addressed and proper measures must be taken to weed extremism out of the fertile pastures of moderation.

“We also agree with him that there are extremists living among the mainstream moderate Muslims here in Australia enjoying high positions and publicity. Their social positioning and perceived public profile is cause for concern and needs to be addressed before the public submissively allows them to shape public opinion.

“The so called Jama'a Islamiyyah and Wahhabis views are flourishing in some pockets of southwest Sydney with a base in Lakemba, as well as other areas interstate. Extremists have been damaging the image of Islam and the global appeal of Australia as a nation distant from terror and wars. I hope that we all can differentiate between claimers of moderation and moderates.”