Source: The Australian
[theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9036225%255E2702,00.html]
On March 22, 2004 The Australian reported, "A leading US Islamic leader, visiting Australia to counter extremist views, said yesterday Muslim clerics should use cautious language when speaking of the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, referring to last month's controversy involving Sydney-based Sheikh Taj Din al-Hilali, the spiritual leader of Australia's Muslims, said sensitive language was important so we 'do not continuously scratch the wound.' Sheikh Hilali sparked concern last month during a visit to Lebanon, where he said the September 11 attack was the work of 'God against the infidels.' He said later mistakes had been made in a translation of his comments from Arabic to English used by the media. NSW Premier Bob Carr last year invited Imam Feisal to Australia to improve relations between the religious faiths. A New York-based leader, Imam Feisal will meet Islamic and other local religious heads including the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell."