Model angers Muslim leaders
2005-11-21 11:24
Sydney - An Australian model who wore traditional Islamic dress during her drug trial in Indonesia was told on Monday by some Muslim leaders to give up her career if she wants to remain a member of the faith.
Catwalk and underwear model Michelle Leslie, 24, was found carrying two ecstasy tablets in her Gucci handbag while in a Bali nightclub in August.
She walked free from prison on Saturday after she was convicted of drug possession and released on the three months already served.
During her court appearances in Bali, Leslie wore conservative Muslim dress including headscarves, and a head-to-toe burka covering on one occasion.
Her supporters said the Muslim convert donned the modest clothing "as a Muslim... to find solace with God, not for any other purpose".
A sense of modesty
But the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ameer Ali, said on Monday it would offend other Muslims if Leslie continued to work as an underwear model.
"She must now come out and confess clearly to the public that she is still a Muslim ... if she's still a Muslim she should give up this modelling business," he told ABC radio.
"There is a sense of modesty in the way we dress as a Muslim, the way we speak as a Muslim, the way we behave as a Muslim - that's in every religion."
Leslie, who sipped wine as she flew first class from Indonesia to Singapore on Saturday and celebrated her release from jail by purchasing a pair of stilettos, left Bali dressed in a skimpy black tank-top and tight jeans.
Ali told the Daily Telegraph: "We have no time for these pseudo-Muslims. I'd like to tell her: 'You can't have it both ways.'
"She's become a controversial advertisement for Islam."
But the founder of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, Keysar Trad, called for tolerance, saying many Muslims were models or belly-dancers.
Moreover, he said Leslie should be supported for embracing Islam.
'Not done just for effect'
"Sometimes it takes time for people to adhere to all the tenets," he said. "We should give her the benefit of the doubt.
"The religion is about helping people through their spiritual journey, not excommunication."
Leslie's spokesperson denied that the model had used Muslim clothing as a stunt to secure favourable treatment in Indonesia.
"She is Muslim, she didn't wear anything yesterday to be disrespectful to anyone," Sean Mulcahy told commercial television.
"She was a Muslim when she was doing catwalk stuff, so I don't think the fact that she did wear a hijab at times... conflicts with her belief."
- AFP