Opposing secular, spiritual and political groups have today joined together in their outrage against the raping comments of an Australian Islamic cleric. In a Ramadan sermon, Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilaly, reportedly compared “women who wore make-up and dressed immodestly to meat that attracted cats.” The Australian, (Australia’s major national newspaper) quoted the cleric as saying, “If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside on the street, or in the garden or in the park, or in the backyard without a cover, and the cats come and eat it … whose fault is it, the cats or the uncovered meat?”.
During Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Queensland this statement echoes the archaic beliefs of many people. It is offensive and appalling to me to know that a percentage of our population continues to blame women for doing what they would normally do. Rape is not about the way a person looks, where they frequent, or how they dress. Rape is an act of power and control. If a prostitute is raped it is still rape, despite the fact, that the woman, or man, has chosen to sell sex. No means no.
If a furniture store displays its goods on the street, and something is stolen, it is still theft. If a stray cat is baited, without the permission of the correct environmental agency and correct bait signs erected, the act becomes a criminal offence under animal cruelty laws. Where is the cleric coming from with his preaching statements likening immodestly dressed women to cats baiting rape? What is his motivation? If it is to keep his congreation in line, he may well have gone about it the wrong way. By all reports, Muslim women’s groups are insultated at having their gender referred to as “meat.”
Congratulations to our opposing political sides who have all condemned the cleric’s metaphor. While the cleric is considered the Australian spiritual leader of Muslim peoples, a Mufti, calls have been made for his resignation and defrocking. An immodest move in itself, I would hate to see the cleric raped because he was wearing clothes less fitting of his position. Leave him where he is. The wrath of Allah, and many raging goddesses, is upon him.
In defense of the cleric, he has now apologized for causing offense to any women. He claimed that his comment was “only intended to protect women’s honour.” Imam, I call for you to preach to men, tell them to stay modest, tell them to honor our women, tell them that rape and sexual assault has never been part of the Koran. Rape is not a Muslim act, rape is an act of terror.
Despite the horrific Sydney rape trial that has spurned the cleric’s comments, his thoughts are no different to the way many other people think. The good cleric has done little more than dare to voice his opinion. Of course, his position as Mufti makes it an extremely dangerous opinion, but nonetheless, it was HIS opinion, not the opinion of all Muslims and certainly not the opinion of a world trying to rid itself of the scourge of sexual violence.
Friday the 27th of October is the international rally against sexual violence. I urge you all to take your stance now. Will you join with the knee-jerking uninformed comments of the Imam or will you leave a supportive comment on the emarch currently walking the world?
Rape is a rapist’s fault. Make-up and low cut top, I expect to be treated with respect, dignity and reserve my right to go safely, wherever I choose to. After all, that’s how I treat others: even the Imam.
To find out more about Sexual Violence, read:
Calling Non-Violent Men to Reclaim the Knight
Topical Whensday: When Will Your Yes Mean Yes and Your No Mean No
Topical Whensday: When will YOU wear a Colored Tee to Recognize Violence Against Women and Children
School Project Information on Sexual Assault
Mary Magdalene was Naught but a Prostitute
What are your frustrations with the church?