Australians 'worst Muslim haters' By Carly Crawford Islam convert 'deeply shocked' by Australian attitudes First Annual Australian Islamic Conference begins Two Muslims clerics banned from entering country FIREBRAND Islamic convert Yvonne Ridley has accused Australians of being among the worst Muslim haters in the world. As millions of Australians celebrated Easter, they were branded Islamophobes by the outspoken British woman. She believes Australian attitudes to Islam are hardening faster than any other nation. "I'm deeply shocked," Ms Ridley said. "It's not what it was when I was last here three years ago. "I've visited over 20 different countries in the last three years and Australia is the most shocking in terms of deterioration." Ms Ridley, 48, will speak about Islamophobia today at a controversial Muslim conference at Melbourne University. Thousands are expected to attend a series of lectures over the weekend. Organisers laughed off suggestions the First Annual Australian Islamic Conference was staged over Easter to insult Christians. "We certainly meant no insensitivity," organiser Adel Salman said. "We weren't making any particular statement or any religious statement. "It was purely a convenient time to schedule the conference." Two controversial sheiks have been refused visas to speak at the conference. Several politicians also wanted Ms Ridley banned. The former investigative reporter was briefly held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001 and converted to Islam two years later. She discourages British Muslims from co-operating with anti-terrorism police and she refers to suicide bombings as "martyrdom operations". But Ms Ridley dismissed objections to her presence by Australian politicians. "It's entertaining but there is an election in the air," she said. The conference, staged by non-profit Muslim group Mercy Mission, hit the headlines when the Herald Sun revealed that radical Muslim academic Sheik Bilal Philips had been refused a visa for security reasons. He has been linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombings and has described US-led Western culture as an enemy of Islam. A visa for another Islamic academic, Sheik Jaafer Idris, was not processed in time. But Mercy Mission's Adel Salman vowed to bring the scholars to Australia in the future. "We hope that one day we'll be able to bring Jaafer Idris and Dr Bilal Philips to Australia," Mr Salman said. "That's certainly our hope but whether or not that happens is up to the Australian Government." Mr Salman believes their rejection was politically motivated. "I believe (Sheik Philips) was rejected because he was seen as a threat to Australia," he said. "On that basis we don't agree with the decision because we don't see that he is a threat to Australia or Australians." Sheik Philips was named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the first World Trade Centre attack in 1993, that killed six and injured 1000. But Mr Salman described him as a wise and eminent Muslim thinker. "We've done our own research and investigation, and we're very confident that he's not in any way linked to any such (terrorist) activity. "In fact, he's a man of peace and moderation and is very well qualified. "We believe he is one of the foremost academics on Islam in the world today and just through sheer knowledge and wisdom we believe he would have brought a lot to this conference." Herald sun

what ever happened to the innocent Somali girl that lived next door?

Actually it is rather hard. would you consider Somalia Pre 1990 an Islamic country? with the level of our iiman at this day and age, i guarantee you that very few people will adhere 100% to the shari'a. one only has to look at any Nation and their economic structure to understand how hard and almost impossible it is to have a genuine Islamic nation. in this globolised environment...

lool at ibtism.. you can be so harsh cynical, i am sure your not the only woman whos clock is ticking away.

lol, did someone say wedding, wheres the bariis!

lol, i have a friend who has asked for the hand of a cirtan girl (all islamically ofcoures) but was bitterly rejected for (i want to continue my studies and i dont want marrage right now - attitude) this wouldnt have been funny if he hadent been given the same er, excuse twise before. now i ask you how is it that we are suppost to protect ourselfs if moden (young - late teens to mid 20st) xaliimos and in some cases farahs keep saying no... man, i realy feel for him, think he's given up all together now.

^ am listening...

^^ wat the!

islam can make somalia strong.... hmm well i gues that the UIC that have been so brutally defeated had the rong islam then eh? lest stop kidding ourselfs, islam has returned to being a stranger. how can we have a nation ruled and goverend by islam when ever one has their little side dealings.... i see somalia at a cross roads right now. we can choose to returne to the islam that was, or have a democratic "liberal" goverment that draws much of its laws form islam.

a signe of the times eh. what kinda world do we live in...

that is so rong...funy... but rong

makeup with hijab... kinda difeats teh purpose dont it?

lol u need an authentic version of windows for that

Though the misty clouds that bring the heavy rain, a trickle of light penetrates the darkened skies.... this is an example of wat we an reap though hard work and persistance.

english please...

man that mest up... lol it reminds me of a boston legal episode.... (seriously disturbing)

maddy is a nice name... i like maddy, wats rong with it!

say wat? ur makeing as much sence as a druk hoon at the end of a chelsea v liverpool match....

why is it that those in london know about islamic activites here in australia, than that compare to us that live in australia???

Those who complain about the inhumanity of the Qurbani (slaughter of animals) at Eid-ul-Adha should have a look at this. ............. definatly not for the faint hearted!!! poor things

i just skimmed throught the site. wats rong with the pictures?

he looks black! and wats with the hair!!

der it was all flimed in a studio at area 51... :rolleyes:

i never got that one horse sliegh bit! since when does santa travel on a horse and cart?