ABC Online; The chief executive officer of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils says he is surprised that a controversial sheikh is speaking at a seminar organised by the Sydney-based Muslim Women Association.
There are three speakers at next weekend's seminar at Auburn, which is titled "Jihad - Terrorism or a Muslim's Highest Aspiration".
One of them is Sheikh Abdul Salam Mohammed Zoud, who has been accused of having links to terror suspects although he denies the claims.
The federation's Amjad Mehboob says the sheikh's inclusion is an unexpected choice.
He says the Muslim Women Association is a moderate group that has accused the media of giving airtime to extremists.
"And therefore it was a bit surprising that they were themselves they were giving this person the time and opportunity to express his views in this seminar," he said.
The Muslim Women Association's manager, Maha Krayem Abdo, says the seminar will look at the effect of terrorism on Muslim women, and the different meanings of jihad.
She says Sheikh Zoud has been chosen to speak so the community can hear his views first-hand, rather than in the media.
"And bring out some of those issues that have been debated and talk about them in a comfortable way so that the Muslim community can start to hear and discuss those issues rather than listen to second and third-hand information," she said.
A spokesman for Sheik Zoud says he condemns terrorism and has not been approached by authorities.
He says Amjad Mehboob has never met the Sheikh and cannot comment on someone he does not know.
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I find the title of the seminar interesting "Jihad - Terrorism or a Muslims Highest Aspiration"
This choice of words implies what?.....you decide !!!!
