This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6740705.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Unity call as Sydney cleric quits Unity call as Sydney cleric quits
(about 18 hours later)
Muslim leaders in Australia have called for unity under the nation's new top cleric after controversial mufti Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali stepped down.Muslim leaders in Australia have called for unity under the nation's new top cleric after controversial mufti Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali stepped down.
Sheikh Hilali, who sparked outrage last year by likening immodestly-clad women to "uncovered meat", was re-elected by imams but chose not to accept the post.Sheikh Hilali, who sparked outrage last year by likening immodestly-clad women to "uncovered meat", was re-elected by imams but chose not to accept the post.
He will be replaced by Melbourne-based cleric Sheikh Fehmi Naji El-Imam.He will be replaced by Melbourne-based cleric Sheikh Fehmi Naji El-Imam.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils paid tribute to Sheikh Hilali, who critics accuse of extremist views. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils paid tribute to Sheikh Hilali, whom critics accuse of extremist views.
"He (Hilali) has done tremendous work, but now there may be a need for everybody to throw their weight behind Sheikh Fehmi and let him do his work," President Ikebal Patel said."He (Hilali) has done tremendous work, but now there may be a need for everybody to throw their weight behind Sheikh Fehmi and let him do his work," President Ikebal Patel said.
But Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed Sheikh Hilali's departure.But Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed Sheikh Hilali's departure.
"I know many Muslims who have been embarrassed by him and have felt he hasn't done Islamic Australia any good at all," he told Sky News."I know many Muslims who have been embarrassed by him and have felt he hasn't done Islamic Australia any good at all," he told Sky News.
'Misinterpreted''Misinterpreted'
Egyptian-born Sheikh Hilali, imam of Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, has held the position of mufti since 1988.Egyptian-born Sheikh Hilali, imam of Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, has held the position of mufti since 1988.
SHEIKH TAJ EL-DIN AL-HILALI Born in EgyptImam in SydneyAppointed mufti of Australia in 1988 Australia's controversial muftiSHEIKH TAJ EL-DIN AL-HILALI Born in EgyptImam in SydneyAppointed mufti of Australia in 1988 Australia's controversial mufti
But some of his recent comments have sparked national outrage and led to intense pressure on him to step aside.But some of his recent comments have sparked national outrage and led to intense pressure on him to step aside.
In October 2006, he appeared to suggest that women who did not wear the Islamic headscarf invited sexual assault.In October 2006, he appeared to suggest that women who did not wear the Islamic headscarf invited sexual assault.
"If you take uncovered meat and put it on the street, on the pavement, in a garden, in a park or in the backyard, without a cover and the cats eat it, is it the fault of the cat or the uncovered meat? The uncovered meat is the problem," he said."If you take uncovered meat and put it on the street, on the pavement, in a garden, in a park or in the backyard, without a cover and the cats eat it, is it the fault of the cat or the uncovered meat? The uncovered meat is the problem," he said.
A few months later, he said that Muslims had more right to be in Australia than Anglo-Saxons who "arrived in Australia in shackles".A few months later, he said that Muslims had more right to be in Australia than Anglo-Saxons who "arrived in Australia in shackles".
He has also been accused of praising suicide bombers and endorsing the 11 September 2001 bombers, but insists his remarks were misinterpreted.He has also been accused of praising suicide bombers and endorsing the 11 September 2001 bombers, but insists his remarks were misinterpreted.
His former spokesman, Keysar Trad, said that the government had targeted the cleric.His former spokesman, Keysar Trad, said that the government had targeted the cleric.
"If something can be misinterpreted or carry ambiguity, they will go for the worst possible spin, so the mufti has decided to step down and let someone else take the pressure," he said."If something can be misinterpreted or carry ambiguity, they will go for the worst possible spin, so the mufti has decided to step down and let someone else take the pressure," he said.
'Less high-profile''Less high-profile'
The new mufti, Sheikh Fehmi, is senior imam at Melbourne's Preston Mosque. He came to Australia in 1951 and is described as a moderate.The new mufti, Sheikh Fehmi, is senior imam at Melbourne's Preston Mosque. He came to Australia in 1951 and is described as a moderate.
In a press conference, the 79-year-old said that he wanted to build a better relationship between Muslims and the media.In a press conference, the 79-year-old said that he wanted to build a better relationship between Muslims and the media.
"I say let us like media ... and let us like each other, let us know how to live with each other, how to handle each other, how to deal with each other," The Australian newspaper quoted him as saying."I say let us like media ... and let us like each other, let us know how to live with each other, how to handle each other, how to deal with each other," The Australian newspaper quoted him as saying.
Sheikh Fehmi said that his predecessor had been misunderstood.Sheikh Fehmi said that his predecessor had been misunderstood.
"Maybe sometimes you may let your tongue go too far," he said. "I know that, but still, maybe he didn't mean to harm others.""Maybe sometimes you may let your tongue go too far," he said. "I know that, but still, maybe he didn't mean to harm others."
Muslim leaders around Australia welcomed his appointment.Muslim leaders around Australia welcomed his appointment.
"I think what you will find is someone who is slightly less high-profile in the role than previously," Waleed Aly of the Islamic Council of Victoria told Australian broadcaster ABC."I think what you will find is someone who is slightly less high-profile in the role than previously," Waleed Aly of the Islamic Council of Victoria told Australian broadcaster ABC.