The mufti of Australia, Sheik Taj El Din Al Hilaly, went to Lebanon and gave a sermon in which he called 9/11 “God’s work against oppressors,” then met with Hizballah and voiced support for Palestinian suicide bombers.

Now he’s “denouncing extremists” to the Western press, after being caught with the foam still on his lips: Australia Muslim Chief Decries Extremists.

Hilaly had been seen as a voice of religious tolerance, but that changed dramatically last month when he preached in Lebanon.

According to a translation from the Australian Embassy in Beirut, he told worshippers at one mosque: “Don’t be surprised if one day you hear the Muezzin calling for prayer and saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great) from the top of the White House. Sept. 11 is God’s work against oppressors.”

While in Lebanon, he also met officials from the Hezbollah guerrilla group — which Australia and the United States list as a terrorist organization. He also reportedly voiced support for Palestinian suicide bombers. …

Officials with Australia’s main Islamic organization say they are standing by Hilaly, who returned to Australia on Saturday.

Sitting at his desk at Sydney’s largest mosque with the Australian flag draped behind him on Tuesday, Hilaly defended his position.

“I’m allowed to have freedom of speech like everyone else,” said Hilaly, a 62-year-old Egyptian immigrant who became an Australian citizen more than two decades ago.

He was reluctant to speak at length on the controversy, but said he was against extremism. He chose his words carefully and said he didn’t support the attack.

“I’m a man of peace. I hate extremists and violence and I’ve fought them and their rigid views for 45 years. They’ve tried to hurt me here as well as other countries,” he said. “Whoever supported Sept. 11 is ignorant of religion, because it is an act of terrorism to kill innocent people.”

It’s just amazing what these people think they can get away with in the name of “free speech.” This mufti is obviously lying, and obviously supports actions like 9/11 (calling it “God’s work” is a bit of a giveaway); he just believes he can hoodwink the kuffar.

And judging from the headline AP puts on this story—Australia Muslim Chief Decries Extremists—he’s right when it comes to the media.

UPDATE: the crufty mufti told ABC News in Australia that his remarks about September 11 were just some kind of Islamic poetry. (Hat tip: Geepers.)

Sheik Hilali told ABC Radio last night that anyone who rejoiced in or supported “the 9/11 event knows nothing about the Islam teachings”.

“What is truth? Actually it was a poetry and in poetry we go a little bit into imagination of presentation. I’m fully for the Palestinian intifada which is people resisting with small stones, they are resisting rockets, there are guns. Their case has been supported by the United Nations and by human rights and I do fully support it.”

“What is truth?” How very post-modern of the Sheik.