Australian National Imams Council

Australian National Imams Council
FormationNovember 14, 2006; 19 years ago (2006-11-14)
Registration no.(ABN) 66 122 669 318[1]
PurposeTo unite the Imams of Australia under one umbrella body
HeadquartersLakemba, New South Wales
Coordinates33°55′21″S 151°04′43″E / 33.922514°S 151.078617°E / -33.922514; 151.078617
Area served
Australia
ProductsANIC Halal Authority[2]
Membership200 Imams
President
Shady Alsuleiman
AffiliationsSunni based
Websitewww.anic.org.au

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) is a Muslim body that represents imams and Muslims in Australia, with over 200 member imams from all states and territories and major Australian cities. It is one of two Australian Muslim organisations that appoint a Grand Mufti of Australia, the other being the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC).

Foundation

Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) was created in 2006 after more than 80 Sunni imams met to respond to a crisis caused by comments made by Taj El-Din Hilaly.[3][4]

Overview

The Australian National Imams Council is a Muslim body that represents imams and Muslims in Australia, with over 200 member imams from all states and territories and major Australian cities.[citation needed]

Grand Mufti

The ANIC is one of two Australian Muslim organisations that appoint a Grand Mufti of Australia. In 2011 Ibrahim Abu Mohamed was appointed Grand Mufti by ANIC.[5][6][7][needs update]

As of 2018, the Grand Mufti of Australia appointed by Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) is Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari. There has been controversy about the appointment of two Muftis in Australia, and despite the mostly symbolic and ceremonial nature of the position, ANIC has fought hard to prevent anyone else from claiming to represent Australian Muslims as a Mufti.[8][9][10][11]

Views and activities

In 2011, ANIC requested that the Darulfatwa-supported Muslim Community Radio Incorporated not have its licence renewed due to ties with Al-Ahbash and because of its promotion of "sectarian fringe views".[12]

In 2014, ANIC expressed concerns regarding a bill in the Australian Parliament that would broaden the offence of advocating terrorism.[13] ANIC argued that the legislation would have chilling effects on free speech.[13] It also said that any religious community referring to violent passages in the Qur'an or Bible could face sanction under this law.[14] Other Australian Muslim groups, including the Islamic Council of Victoria and Muslim Legal Network, also expressed concerns regarding the legislation.[13]

In February 2015 the Grand Mufti said the Australian Government should not ban Hizb ut-Tahrir, saying the group is "actually pro-freedom of speech".[15] The prime minister, Tony Abbott, responded by saying the comments were "unhelpful".[16]

In early February 2026 ANIC, along with the Jewish Council of Australia and the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, co-signed a submission to the Australian Government requesting to ban Israeli President Isaac Herzog from visiting the country, and a criminal investigation to be set up under the Commonwealth criminal code[17][18] JCA has further stated that the visit from Herzog, who is scheduled to visit the site of the Bondi Beach shooting, is using Jewish pain as a political prop.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Australian National Imams Council". abr.business.gov.au. 1 November 2014.
  2. ^ "ANIC Halal Authority". Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  3. ^ Duffy, Conor (28 October 2006). "Reclaim the Streets rally protests Hilali comments". ABC.
  4. ^ Rane, Halim; Jacqui Ewart; Mohamad Osman imran dushbag (2010). Islam and the Australian News Media. Melbourne University Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0522856408.
  5. ^ Kilani, Ahmed (19 September 2011). "Australian Imams appoint a new Mufti". muslimvillage.com. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  6. ^ McNamara, Paul (5 October 2011). "New grand mufti for Australia". The Islamic Globe. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  7. ^ "مجلس الأئمة الفيدرالى الأسترالى.. جذور إخوانية تحت عباءة الدين.. وحزب الحرية فى أستراليا يلفظ الجماعة الإرهابية ويدعو لحظرها". البوابة نيوز.
  8. ^ "What the nomination of the new Grand Mufti of Australia means for Australian Muslims". 22 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Muslim Factions Warring Over Hilaly's Naming as Grand Mufti (subscription required)". www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Controversial Taj Eldin Hilaly Back as Australia's Grand Mufti (subscription required)". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  11. ^ "ANIC wins case against fake Mufti". 4 August 2021.
  12. ^ O'Brien, Natalie (9 January 2011). "Muslims call for 'radical' radio station to be closed". Sydney Morning Herald.
  13. ^ a b c "Australia's terrorism laws 'could criminalise preaching from Qur'an'". The Guardian.
  14. ^ Aston, Heath (8 October 2014). "Muslims warn anti-terror laws could prevent teaching from Koran". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  15. ^ Seymour, Brian (13 February 2015). "Australia's Grand Mufti slams government ban". Seven News. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Abbott criticises Aust Muslim leader". Sky News. 15 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  17. ^ "Jewish group seeks to block Isaac Herzog visit to Australia". The Jerusalem Post. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  18. ^ "Australia: HRF, Jewish Council and ANIC Demand Arrest or Entry Ban of Israeli President". Hind Rajab Foundation. 30 January 2026. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026.
  19. ^ Whiteman, Hilary (8 February 2026). "Israel's president to mourn antisemitic massacre in Australia, where fury over Gaza still divides". CNN. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_National_Imams_Council