ABC Online; A Melbourne Muslim cleric has called for equality in the sentencing of rapists.
Sheikh Mohammed Omran has previously made controversial statements, including that the US Government is to blame for the September 11, 2001 attacks.
But in a new speech posted on his website, he tells worshippers that rape is a major sin in Islam, punishable by death.
The Sheikh points out the widely differing jail terms handed out for the crime of rape, depending on the cultural background of the offender.
"We don't support the crime, we don't support the one who does the crime, we don't support Sheikh Taj, we don't support anyone, defend criminals or crimes," he said.
"But at the same time we want justice for everyone - either every one goes for 60 years or everyone goes for three years."
Victoria's Sentencing Advisory Council has declined to comment, saying the courts collect no statistics on the racial background of offenders.
In other developments: A prominent Western Australian Muslim says there is some truth to comments made by Sydney cleric Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilaly about women and sexual assault.
