EXCLUSIVE
A controversial Muslim cleric who compared uncovered women to ‘pieces of meat’ has died aged 82.
The death of Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly – once Australia’s most high-profile Islamic cleric as Mufti of Australia – was confirmed by his daughter Asma in a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday morning.
Hilaly was one of the most controversial figures in Australia in the early 2000s after making a series of controversial comments.
In October 2006, he sparked a firestorm after comparing women who didn’t cover their skin to “uncovered flesh” being eaten by cats.
The last photo of Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly (photo) was taken on September 24 during his trip to Mecca and Medina
“If you take uncovered meat out and put it outside on the street, or in the garden or in the park, or in the backyard without a lid, and the cats come and eat it… whose fault is it, the cats” or the uncovered meat?’ Hilaly said in a Ramadan sermon.
“The exposed flesh is the problem. If she had been in her room, in her house, in her hijab, there wouldn’t have been a problem.”
He later apologized unreservedly following controversies that left women so angry they planned to march to the Lakemba Mosque in bikinis.
“I only intended to protect the honor of women,” the sheikh said.
In a statement on Thursday, Hilaly’s daughter Asma said: “Sheikh Hilaly was an institution whose legacy will outlive most of us. He was a caring father to the community.”
“He served tirelessly, responding day and night to the call of every member of the community.
Hilaly (pictured, centre) was one of the most controversial figures in Australia in the early 2000s after making a series of controversial comments.
‘He can be credited with nurturing the love of Islam in the hearts of the Australian Muslim community.
“He worked tirelessly, even in the face of concerted campaigns in the public sphere, remaining steadfast and an example of humility and hard work for the community. He was an Australian icon who will leave a huge void.”
Hilaly was living in Egypt when he died, but traveled back to Sydney regularly.
His cause of death is unknown.
His friend and colleague, Shaykh Ahmed Abdo, added a tribute.
“My heart is saddened by the news of the passing of Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilally, a pioneer in laying the foundations of the Muslim community in Australia,” Mr Abdo wrote.
‘May Allah raise his ranks and unite him with Rasulallah.’
The Lebanese Muslim Association also released a statement on Thursday paying tribute to the sheikh.
“He carried the weight of the Australian Muslim Ummah solely on his very broad shoulders and his even bigger heart,” it said.
“Sheikh Taj, the LMA and the Lakemba Mosque will be forever indebted to you for your invaluable service and commitment to Islam in Australia.
“You were the beacon of light when our Ummah fell apart.”
Hilaly was appointed Inam of the Lakemba Mosque for 31 years, between 1982 and 2013, during which time he was also appointed Mufti of Australia in 1988.
He was an Islamic scholar who worked as a guest speaker and lectured online until his death.
In 2005, Hilaly criticized then Prime Minister John Howard over anti-terrorism legislation, rejecting the claim that the laws were not ‘anti-Muslim’.
At the time, he told SBS Radio that Muslims rejected any ideology or action that supported terrorism or actions that would harm Australia.
“There is a fear that this is not the Australia we know,” he said.
‘There are people who distrust such excessive force… I have received many complaints. There is fear, there is fire under the coals.’
Later that year he was named ‘Muslim Man of the Year’ at the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards.