The Age, Sunday:
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has called for YouTube to consider taking down a video that ridicules the Prophet Mohammed . . .
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Monday:
The distribution of this entire film must be banned by the Americans.
Andrew Bolt, in News Limited newspapers yesterday:
Next - who knows, Dante's Inferno, the great Renaissance masterpiece? Quick, read it before the likes of Conroy decree even Dante's famous descriptions of the damned in hell are too dangerously offensive: I saw one there so burst wide, From the chin severed down to where we fart . . . Look at Mahommed and his mangled trunk!
What will Conroy do? Friday sermon in Benghazi, Libyan Al-Hurra TV, September 14:
Indeed, oh Muslims, the time has come for us to adopt a firm stance, and to detonate our wrath upon them, with deeds they will not be able to ignore. Let us stab them in their main artery, the secret behind their power. Let us stab them in their economy. The Prophet Muhammad said: "Wage Jihad against the polytheists, using your wealth, your hands, and your tongues." Oh Allah, destroy the rancorous Christians, destroy the rancorous Christians and the corrupting Jews. Oh Allah, destroy them for they cannot withstand you.
Something else for Conroy? Richard Millett blogs on Antony Loewenstein - regular contributor to ABC online's The Drum - London, August 23:
It was all the usual standard anti-Israel rhetoric. But, during the Q&A Jonathan Hoffman asked Loewenstein how many people Loewenstein thinks should die for this one-state solution, that Loewenstein wants so much, to come into existence. The idea being that Israelis are not going to vote themselves out of existence, so presumably such a state could come about only by force involving more bloodshed. . . . Loewenstein answered "Six million. That's my answer. Write that down."
Apparently look down on the West? Mohammed El-Leissy on ABC online's The Drum yesterday:
Only a few months ago, a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into Australia's acceptance of culturally diverse communities found that the "the largest issue facing the nation" was "the acceptance of Muslims". I'm not saying Muslims were protesting because of racism or that it's all the "white man's fault". I'm saying that Muslims didn't need a parliamentary inquiry to know that they weren't liked. But it also goes the other way. Many Australians take issue with Muslims apparently looking down on the Western way of life, living in isolation and not willing to be "part of the team".
Crimes of the West in China and Burma? Mohamad Tabbaa, The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday:
Why were some protesters (in Sydney) chanting "Our dead are in paradise, your dead are in hell"? . . . They are referring to the Rohingya Muslims burnt to death in Burma; they are referring to Uyghur Muslims being persecuted in China.
What else makes them cranky? Tabbaa again, SMH, Wednesday:
Instead of protecting them from what are seen as some of the harshest anti-terrorism laws in the world, they see their leaders thanking police for raiding Muslim homes; they see their leaders as siding against them, rather than with them; they feel betrayed. And so the anger rages inside them. They reach breaking point, and decide to do something. They take to the streets. But we should not place the blame entirely on them. We should look towards what's really lacking in the Muslim community. . . the present leadership.
Counting a strong point? James Massola, The Australian Financial Review yesterday:
Three questions: do you think we're heading to an early election? Are you walking away from your carbon tax campaign? Are we headed for an early election and what positive vision do you have for this country?
