Читать книгу The Tragedy of Islam - Imam Mohammad Tawhidi - Страница 22

I am subjected to waves of death threats by Islamic extremists. In addition, in March 2017 I was ambushed and assaulted by two Islamic leaders within Australia. For personal reasons, at this time I choose not to mention the names of those guilty of this crime.

On Friday March 24, 2017, I agreed to meet four leaders of Adelaide’s Muslim community in order to discuss my programs in Australia, specifically Adelaide, along with the statements I had been making in the media – which over time turned out to be true. The meeting was organized by Leader 1, and was held at the University of South Australia’s Magill Campus at 5 pm. Leader 1 is widely described as “one of Australia’s most prominent and respected Muslim leaders.” The meeting included myself, my secretary, and the four Islamic leaders. When we reached the carpark of the university, I had a strong gut feeling that I should begin recording the interview for my own safety. I switched on the audio recording application on my mobile phone and placed it in my pocket.

The meeting began in a very friendly manner, as we shook hands and sat comfortably beside each other around a table. The tension began when Leader 3 decided to aggressively interrogate me regarding an inaccurate media report issued by the ABC in the year 2016. The report suggested that I threatened violence after a man pulled a Muslim woman’s scarf off her head in public. I had condemned and denounced this report previously, and a news article published in The Advertiser set the record straight by correcting the errors. After complaints against the ABC, they also corrected their article.

After Leader 3’s interrogation was over, Leader 2 demanded that I refrain from criticizing extremist Muslims in the media, because it wasn’t “in the best interest” of Australia and the Muslim community. I peacefully and respectfully disagreed by informing him that I would continue to criticize extremist Muslims and warn Australia about any potential terrorist threats. Moments later, Leader 2 stood over me as I remained seated in my chair and, while pointing his finger towards my face, said “Respect yourself.” My secretary immediately sprung from his chair and requested that Leader 2 remained seated and not disrespect the imam (myself). Leader 2 then responded to my secretary, saying: “Who the f**k do you think you are? Sit down! With my shoe [in Arabic]! With my shoe!” – an Arabic statement that implied a threat to hit us with his shoe. Such a comment is also regarded as being highly insulting in Middle Eastern culture.

During this altercation, I stood to calm things down and to make my way outside of the meeting room. Leader 3 raced to shove me against the table while twisting my fingers backwards. I then shouted, “do not touch me, do not touch me,” and told Leader 2: “Don’t threaten anyone and respect yourself!” They then stormed outside of the meeting room except for Leader 1 as he had an appointment scheduled in the same university building. I demanded that Leader 1 call Leaders 2, 3, and 4 to return and apologize to me for physically assaulting me and threatening both me and my secretary. Leader 1, one of “Australia’s most prominent and respected Muslim leaders” refused to do so, and therefore we also left the building. I immediately contacted an Australian intelligence organization and informed them of the ambush and assault. I attended a police station the next day to file a statement and press charges.

I contacted Leader 1 within an hour of the meeting with the following text message:

I knew that I couldn’t trust any one of you, which is why I had everything being recorded. Leader 3 grabbed and twisted my hands which is physical assault. We were threatened to be hit by a shoe in the University of South Australia. I was physically abused and manhandled and also insulted. This is not good for you, or Leader 2, or the University of South Australia.

Leader 1 responded with: “It’s unfortunate you say this because I trusted you …” I then responded:

I met with you to have a peaceful verbal conversation. But when we are ambushed and I’m assaulted, and we are threatened to be hit by Leader 2’s shoe, I don’t think you are being fair to me. They made a big mistake doing what they did to me this afternoon.

When the police took my statement, they also contacted Leader 1 for a statement. Initially he agreed to provide a statement, but kept delaying the matter with excuses that he was travelling or busy. Almost eight months later, in October 2017, he decided to inform the police investigators that he would not be providing a witness statement. It is unfortunate that this is the type of trouble and headache our police officers have to put up with, having to manage such bothersome and radical individuals who operate mosques and believe they are above the law. I withdrew my request to file charges, out of respect for police time and money. I however await the perfect day to release the audio file and, on that day, I will be hitting more than just two birds with one stone.