Australian Muslims reject the ban on the flag used by the Islamic state, fearing it will criminalize legitimate expressions of their faith
- Government pushes to ban IS flag in Australia
- Muslim leaders are calling for reformulation of the law
Australian Muslim groups have hit back at an attempt to ban a flag used by the Islamic State over fears it could lead to the criminalization of legitimate displays of Islamic imagery.
The Albanian government recently introduced legislation that would ban the display of Nazi symbols, which was quietly expanded to include the flag of the IS group.
Muslim organizations and pundits have rejected the bill’s broad wording, citing concerns that the ban will extend to the statement of faith in the Arabic text on the IS flag.
There are also concerns that the laws will limit Australian Muslims’ rights to practice their religion.
Said Raihan Ismail, senior lecturer at the Australian National University The age the outcome could be catastrophic for Muslims in Australia unless the law is worded otherwise.
Muslim leaders have struck at a federal government attempt to ban the IS flag in Australia. Pictured are female ISIS fighters with the terror group’s flag
It is feared that the statement of faith in the Arabic text on the IS flag could also be banned. The photo shows IS members
“They will rightly fear that such a flag could be confused with the flag of the Islamic State and in turn be made a criminal offence. That result is catastrophic,” she told the publication.
“The ordinary Australian does not read or understand Arabic script, does not understand the significance of the Shahada to Muslims and does not understand that black flags in Islam are not exclusively the flags of the Islamic State.”
The bill will be reviewed by the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which has been swamped with submissions.
“The bill puts Australian Muslims at risk of having their religious practices monitored and even criminalised,” the submission from the Australian National Imams Council said.
“We therefore urge not to ban these symbols or consider them as a hate symbol.”
The government’s bill states that “anything so similar to the flag of Islamic State that it is likely to be confused with, or mistaken for, the flag of Islamic State” would be banned.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils fears that any representation of the Islamic creed, the ‘Shahada’ or the Seal of the Prophet could be banned.
“There was no call for the banning of such symbols at the height of the Islamic State’s existence,” the main Muslim organization said.
“It is questionable why this should be confused with the rise of Nazi symbolism at a time when the Islamic State is in decline.”
The federal government has been urged to reformulate the amendment law to the anti-terrorism legislation. Pictured is Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus
The government’s bill states that “anything so similar to the flag of Islamic State that it is likely to be confused with, or mistaken for, the flag of Islamic State” would be banned.
When Attorney General Mark Dreyfus introduced the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill to Parliament in June, he revealed that the IS flag would be part of the ban.
“The government recognizes the important distinction between Islamic State, a terrorist organization with a violent ideology, and the Islamic faith, which is deeply respected and valued as part of Australia’s multicultural community,” he said.
“The government condemns Islamophobia and stands with the Australian Muslim community in its resistance to terrorism in all its forms.
“Islamic State continues to incite violent acts against Muslims and non-Muslim religious minorities, both in the region and globally.”
A spokesman for Mr Dreyfus said the government will consider the recommendations of the inquiry to improve legislation and ensure there are no unintended consequences.