Peter Costello, model Muslim state and the reactions: The Australian Treasurer, Mr. Peter Costello, in his speech on Friday 22/09/2006 has introduced Turkey as model Muslim state for Islamic world. Labor's treasury spokesman Wayne Swan said: It was a bit rich for Mr. Costello to be telling other countries how to run themselves when there were many problems at home. "I wouldn't be talking to the world about how they ought to be behaving," Mr. Swan told reporters after the speeches. In his speech Mr. Costello praised the example of modern Turkey, a largely Islamic population which was given the status of a secular state by the former leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allision later said Mr. Costello's comments on separation of church and state "would be laughable were they not so dangerous". for details: www.theage.com.au/news/national/costello-defends-pope/2006/09/23/1158431938257.html Chairman of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Mr. Keysar Trad said Mr. Costello was once again advertising his ignorance of Islam. "He is an igrorant fool and he has no idea what he is talking about," Mr. Trad said: "He should stick to his job description of running the economy." He also added: "Ataturk was in fact an opponent of the practice of Islam-that's not a secular influence because secular principles allow all faiths a freedom of belief" Dr. Ameer Ali who chairs the Muslim Comunity Reference Group established by Prime Minister John Howard said: Mr. Costello was "quite wrong" to suggest Turkey as model. Under Ataturk the state became almost irreligious. Modern Turkish law actually infringes on the rights of the individual and it's at the other extreme and cannot be a good model for the Muslims. for details: www.theage.com.au/news/national/costello-a-fool-over-turkey-speech/2006/09/23/1158431949658.html An Australian Muslim cleric has sent a letter to Mr. Peter Costello on Monday 25/09/2006 and he has condemned Mr. Costello for introducing Turkey as model Muslim state. Ayatollah Boroujerdi in his letter has said that Mr. Costello has been trying to teach Muslims about Islam and true Islamic system. The Ayatollah has said to the Australian Treasurer: "It seems you have studied Sharia law and have more knowledge about Quran" Then he has asked Mr. Costello to give him address from Quran and explain the reasons and evidences which show Turkey is the model of true Islamic system. The Ayatollah has also said that if Mr. Costello is not expert of Islam, he has no right to teach Muslims. "It's not your business. You have no right to teach about Islam and introduce the sample of Islam. You have no right to interpret Quran and say which society is true Islamic society and which one is fake, that's the cleric's job, that's not your job. If you are not an expert of Islam you have no right to introduce Turkey as a sample of Muslim state to the Islamic world." Ayatollah Boroujerdi said. Now the question is: "Can someone who has not studied Shariah law and doesn't have knowledge about Quran teach Muslims? The Australian treasurer is right or the Australian Muslim clerics? Does a person who has not studied the history have right to teach history to students?
Like the Chairman of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia said: "He is an ignorant fool and does not know what he is talking about". 100% in agreement with that statement. - MENJ
menj again I see many people on line that they don't know anything about Islam and still they try to teach Muslims to choose which country as Muslim model(look at discussion about turkey and see funny comments of people) I haven't studied Mathematics but next time if I see a Math discussion I will jump and try to teach.