Ikebal Patel, President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), has spoken out in support of the recent legal ruling against racist comments made by radio broadcaster Alan Jones in April, 2005.
The complaint stated that Jones had ‘racially vilified’ Muslim youth with his comments on air. Some of these comments included assertions that Muslims are ‘mongrels’ who ‘rape, pillage and plunder’ the nation. Jones also suggested that Australian citizens ‘take the gloves off, and make life a collective hell for these bastards and their followers…’.
After almost five years of arduous courtroom procedures, Jones has finally been ordered to pay $10, 000 in damages, all of which will be donated to the Muslim Women’s Respite centre. The tribunal also ordered Jones and 2GB to apologise publicly and to review their policies to ensure that they do not breach the Racial Vilification Act in the future.
‘In a country such as Australia, where hundreds of different cultures co-exist as one nation, we have an incredible opportunity to learn about each other, and to promote an all-inclusive view of humanity,’ Mr Patel stated. ‘Alan Jones, and indeed any public personality, has a unique position in that he can influence large numbers of people, and it is important that he respects other races and religions in his broadcasts, rather than dwelling on racial stereotypes or negative views.’
The fact that Jones’ comments went to air mere months before the atrocities of the Cronulla Riots in 2005 is not lost on Mr Patel either.
‘The media are able to inflame situations, and create barriers between people who would otherwise be willing to exist harmoniously with each other,’ he explained. ‘I hope that this situation has shone some light on the negative affects that such uninformed, defamatory comments can have on society.’
Mr Patel commended the courts decision, and added that he hopes that anyone who has any doubts about the contributions that Muslims, and all other religions and cultures make to society, will make an effort to engage with the wealth of knowledge Australians have access to, thanks to our multicultural heritage.
For further information, please contact:
MR. IKEBAL PATEL – AFIC PRESIDENT – 0419 418 237.
CHAIRMAN – MALEK FAHD ISLAMIC SCHOOL