• The Australian/STEFANIE BALOGH
  

  National Education Correspondent/Canberra

  A prominent Muslim leader has apologised for statements conceding his religion allows for a husband to beat his wife as a “last resort”, saying he was “clumsy” in a television interview.

Keysar Trad, the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said the verse in the Koran that condones domestic violence “plays on the psychology of the man”, who would never resort to a physical beating because gifts like flowers, chocolates or a dinner date would come first.

“I’ve studied that verse in depth and I’ve discussed it with a number of Islamic scholars,” Mr Trad told Sky News’s Andrew Bolt last night.

“What this verse is saying is playing on the psychology of the man saying ‘violence is a last resort’. The first thing you must do is counselling.”

He said while part of the phrase is often translated as “admonish”, the Arabic word is closer to “give advice” or “engage in counselling”.

“What it does is a calming effect before you even consider using your hand, before you even consider any act of violence. Have you checked box number one, which is counselling? Have you checked box two? What does counselling entail?” he said.

“Well, maybe next time you should bring her a bunch of flowers, maybe next time you should bring her a box of chocolates, maybe next time you should take her out for dinner.”

This afternoon, Mr Trad released a statement categorically condemning all violence against women.

“Acknowledging my clumsy attempt to explain a verse from the holy Qur’an, I want to categorically condemn all forms of violence, especially violence against women, I condemn and deplore it and stress my continued zeal to support women against violence,” Mr Trad said.

“I sincerely apologise if my attempt to explain the verse is understood any differently, the Qur’an is a holy book that aims to improve human relations as well as spiritual relations, the verses of the Qur’an must be read alongside other verses and Hadiths that deal with the particular topic.

“For example, the Qur’an encourages partners to live amicably (with love and compassion) or separate beautifully (2:229).” Said Mr. Trad.

“Our beloved prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him said: “The most perfect believer is one who is the best in courtesy and amiable manners, and the best among you people is one who is most kind and courteous to his wife”.”

‘Where are the feminists?’

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has questioned the absence of feminist outrage in relation to Mr Trad’s incendiary comments, accusing them of hypocrisy and describing the Muslim leader as “mad’’.

Mr Dutton described Mr Trad’s views as dangerous and said he should be roundly condemned.

“Where are the feminists? Where is the ABC on this Ray?’’ Mr Dutton said to Ray Hadley on 2GB.

“I suspect they will have nothing to say about it because they’re hypocrites.’’

“If it was you or me or you know somebody else who made such an outrageous statement, they’d be calling for us to be, you know, taken into the town square and dealt with.

“The fact is; this guy is mad. I mean this is not his first stupid public comment.’’

No. Keysar Trad is not mad. He is a devout Muslim. He believes in the teachings of Muhammad. Stop making excuses. Stop denying the reality of Islam.

Mr Dutton said this was Australia and those who came to our country needed to abide by our laws including respecting women.

“We all want our daughters to succeed, to be in loving relationships, get a good education, get a good job and be the equal of any man in this country and it is unacceptable and I’m sure it is unacceptable frankly for the vast majority of the Islamic community as well,’’ Mr Dutton said.

Mr Trad, who also founded the Islamic Friendship Association, was pressed on the issue and said a “good person” would never reach the final step on the checklist.

“I understand what you’re saying, but a good person will never get to that step,” he said. “Because the first step will eliminate the problem.”

The AFIC has been at the centre of a court dispute in recent days, after a group of its former executive members arrived at the organisation’s headquarters in Sydney’s west with a locksmith.

Mr Trad, who was elected unopposed as its president, launched legal action in the NSW Supreme Court against AFIC’s former president Hafez Kassem.

Mr Trad was forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to radio station 2GB after failing a defamation action in 2015.

There is no evidence whatsoever that he paid up. Fake news.

One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has responded to Mr Trad’s comments, condemning them as “outrageous” and accusing her political opponents of having their “heads buried in the sand”.

“The other day a public school said it was fine for Muslim boys to refuse to shake the hands of women,” she posted on Facebook.

“Last night Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, went on The Bolt Report and said that beating women is “a last resort”.

Speaking before Mr Trad back-pedalled and apologised for his comments, federal Minister for Women Senator Michaelia Cash expressed disappointment in the views.

“I have one very clear message for Mr Trad and anybody who holds those views. They are completely, totally and utterly unacceptable,’’ Senator Cash said.

Knock yourself out, honey pie. Your pissweak condemnation will do nothing to stop Islam. Wear your solidarity hijab and condemn the enemies of Islam.

“Violence against women or men has no place in Australia and anybody who holds those views, quite frankly needs to give them a reassessment very quickly.

“They were unacceptable. I am disappointed in them and I would hope today I see members of the Labor Party coming out and also condemning those comments. They have no place in modern Australia,’’ she said.

Labor’s most senior female politician, deputy leader Tanya Plibersek lashed out at Mr Trad’s views earlier today before Senator Cash spoke.

I agree. Members of the Labor Party (and the watermelons) have no place in modern Australia.

“There is never any circumstance where violence against women is acceptable – it’s always a crime,’’ Ms Plibersek, who is Labor’s spokeswoman for women, told The Australian.

“It should always be condemned and perpetrators should feel the full force of the law.’’

Yeah, yeah, yawn…..