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Australia's Deputy PM's address angers Islamic groups
Liam Houlihan
Religious affairs reporter
05/17/05 "Herald Sun" -- - DEPUTY Prime Minister John Anderson has come under fire for giving a speech before an anti-Muslim Christian group.
Two pastors from Catch the Fire Ministries were last year found guilty of vilifying Muslims by calling them demons, liars and terrorists and suggesting they encouraged domestic violence.
But on Saturday night Mr Anderson gave a speech to the fundamentalist group, calling them "you honoured people" and saying to controversial pastor Daniel Nalliah, "Can I begin by saying, Danny,that it is a pleasure to be here."
The state's Muslims are fuming a senior politician would lend his symbolic support to a group they regard as hateful towards them.
"There's a worrying symbolism there of him standing side by side with that group," Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Waleed Aly said.
"Our concern is that there might be a symbolism having political leaders attending and lending support to an organisation that has said some pretty awful things about Muslims.
"I think they represent a very fringe world view of Christianity and not one that's very healthy for Australia."
The Nationals leader gave his speech on democracy, God and Christianity before 800 people at Southland Christian Centre in Hoppers Crossing on Saturday night.
The speech was to mark the National Day of Thanksgiving -- a Federal Government initiative founded by 56 Christian groups including Catch the Fire Ministries.
Treasurer Peter Costello caused controversy by giving the National Day of Thanksgiving address at a Catch the Fire Ministries event last year.
In the interim the ministries' president Mr Nalliah and visiting pastor Danny Scot have been found guilty of religious vilification under Victoria's unique laws.
A spokesman for Mr Anderson said he "opposed racial or religious vilification in any form".
"The point of the National Day of Thanksgiving is to give thanks to the people who do good in the community," the spokesman said.
"To that extent the involvement of the Catch the Fire Ministries could be seen as a redemption on their part."
However the Islamic Council was adamant Mr Anderson had not exercised proper judgment in appearing before Catch the Fire Ministries.
"If we had made public statements vilifying other religious groups you wouldn't expect high-level politicians to be seen with us -- you would expect them to avoid us specifically," Mr Aly said.
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