Hilali finally shows some sense

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Sydney Muslim cleric seeks leave

Australia's top Muslim cleric at the centre of a storm over his comments about immodestly dressed women has asked for "indefinite leave".

Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali had asked for leave from his duties at Sydney's main Lakemba Mosque, he said in a statement read on his behalf.

Earlier, he was taken to hospital with chest pains after collapsing.

He again apologised for his comments comparing immodestly dressed women to "uncovered meat".

The pressure of the last couple of days has had an obvious effect on my health and wellbeing

Sheikh Hilali

He said his suggestion that women who did not wear a headscarf attracted sexual assault had been taken out of context and "misinterpreted".

But he conceded the analogy had been "inappropriate and unacceptable for the Australian society and the western society in general".

While Sydney's mosque association had suspended him for three months following the publication of his comments, Sheikh Hilali indicated at the end of last week he would not resign.

'Inappropriate'

On Monday, at a meeting with the Lebanese Muslim Association, he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

He was said to be in a stable condition but would remain in hospital for at least three days.

SHEIKH TAJ EL-DIN AL-HILALI

Born in Egypt

Aged 64

Imam in Sydney

Appointed mufti of Australia in 1989

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6097798.stm