Islamic leader wages war of words with Australian PM over terror.

Melbourne-based cleric Sheik Mohammed Omran said in an open letter to the prime minister that Howard’s remarks about the possibility of suicide bombers within Australian communities were “inflammatory”.

Howard had criticsed Omran for what he called “appalling” comments suggesting that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden “in effect is a good man and the attacks in London were the responsibility of the Americans.” There was an obligation on religious leaders “not to incite hatred, not to preach intolerance, and that is a responsibility Islamic leaders in Australia carry very heavily,” he said.

Omran, head of the fundamentalist Muslim group Ahlus Sunnah wal Jam’ah Association of Australia, hit back in his open letter by attacking Howard’s earlier comments about suicide bombers in Australia. “This statement does nothing but entice fear into the hearts of Australians. It is your statement which is inflammatory,” he wrote.

Local Muslims “consider ourselves Australians working for the betterment of Australia. Those of us who came from other countries appreciate how the people of this country have accepted us with open arms. Islam teaches us to appreciate kindness and we wouldn’t do anything to betray this gesture,” he said.

Omran, who earlier this month dismissed “any evil action linked to bin Laden”, told Nine Network television Sunday that the United States government was responsible for the September 11 attacks. “I believe there is a … conspiracy against Islams and Muslims,” he said. “There is a mastermind behind these things and the mastermind is 100 per cent, he is from the US government.”

Howard Monday defended his criticism of Omran, telling national radio that he believed the cleric’s views would be unacceptable to the majority of Muslims in Australia. “He’s reaffirmed that he thinks bin Laden is a good man,” the prime minister said. “Heavens above … let’s just sit back and think for a moment. He says that bin Laden is a good man. Doesn’t that really prove my point?”

Omran denied that he had accused the United States of being behind the London bombings, but added: “I am not satisfied that the individuals behind these evil acts have an Islamic agenda.”