ANTI-SHEIK CONSPIRACY REVEALED

Earlier in the week, text messages were being used by Hilaly supporters to organize a pro-Hilaly rally. These SMSs nominated unspecified "hypocrites" as causing the Sheik's problem. The Sheik himself has now elaborated on the source of his troubles:

I have opted to keep silent during the last few days, enduring psychological pressures, media punches, political daggers and missiles which have been orchestrated by a viciously plotted media campaign - the first few webs of which have been weaved by an Islamic group considered to be outcasts and rejected by the consensus of Muslims in and out of Australia.

Those who have felt angry and expressed their anger by participating in this savage attack are excused for doing so.

I consider that the Australian media and some politicians have fallen victims to this misleading misguided plot.

So, the blowback has nothing to do with his remarks being repugnant, resulting instead from some shadowy conspiracy of Muslims. He seems determined to marginalize the whole of Australia's Muslim community.

Update: Hilaly wants to be "tried" by an impartial group such as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC):

Sheik Al Hilali has vowed to quit as mufti of Australia, work for 600 hours in a women's welfare organisation and wear masking tape over his mouth if an independent panel finds that comments he made during a sermon incited rape.

HREOC commissioner Pru Goward has rejected the offer:

"It's not something the commission could do, but what we'd do is encourage him to do it voluntarily," she said.

"It would be lovely if he worked in a women's organisation for six months and declined to comment on issues for six months."

Hilaly isn't going to shut up because he (and his supporters) can't see that he did anything wrong:

There was a large show of support for Sheikh Al Hilali during Friday prayers at Sydney's Lakemba mosque.

Sheikh Al Hilali said in a statement he has endured psychological pressures, media punches, political daggers and missiles during what he called a viciously orchestrated media plot.

After his address, the sheikh was carried from the mosque on the shoulders of his supporters.

Despite the all excitement he didn't have a single heart attack.