Bin Laden 'didn't direct 9/11'
2005-07-12 20:55
Canberra - One of Australia's leading Islamic clerics says he doesn't believe Osama bin Laden directed the September 11 2001 terrorist strikes against America or that Muslims were involved in either that attack or last week's London bombings.
Sheik Mohammed Omran said: "I dispute any evil action linked to bin Laden. I don't believe that even September 11 ... was done by any Muslim at all, or any other activities."
Omran, head of the fundamentalist Ahl Sunnah wal Jama'ah Association in Melbourne city, said he rejected allegations that bin Laden played a leading role in the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York.
Omran said: "When you look at bin Laden from some part of his life, yes he is a great man."
London train bombings
He said he also did not accept that Islamic extremists were responsible for the London train bombings that killed at least 52 people last week.
Omran said: "No one has proven that any Muslim was involved. How could I believe any Muslim could think to help his religion by doing an evil act like this?"
Omran's statements drew sharp criticism on Tuesday from attorney general Philip Ruddock.
He said: "I don't think Omran speaks for Muslims generally and I think most Muslims in Australia regard what has happened as inexcusable and quite horrific. I think his comments were disingenuous."
Bin Laden 'pursuing terrorist objectives'
Ruddock, who was responsible for Australia's major spy agency and a raft of new counter-terrorism laws, said most Australian Muslims "recognise that Osama bin Laden, by his public statements, has made it clear that he is about pursuing terrorist objectives".
Waleed Aly, executive member of the Islamic Council of Victoria state, said Omran held a minority view that had a potential to create tension in the Muslim community.
Aly said: "It is important to recognise that those marginal voices that do say that they don't think bin Laden did any of this are at the same time condemning the terrorism of which bin Laden has been accused."
- AP