http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sheikhs-lessons-in-islamic-tolerance-20100306-ppu2.html
Sheikh's lessons in Islamic tolerance JACQUELINE MALEY March 7, 2010 A REAL Muslim would not hurt others, honour killing is a tribal practice, not an Islamic one, and Muslim women are ''asked to cover their beauty'' with the veil: these were three of the lessons learnt by people visiting the Lakemba Mosque during its open day yesterday. Sheikh Yahya Safi, one of the chief imams at the mosque, answered questions from the hundreds of visitors there to inspect the mosque and meet its worshippers. One man asked the sheikh's opinion on young girls who wear mini-skirts. ''We ask women to cover their beauty,'' he responded. ''You feel something when you look at the woman as men . we cut any way for the devil to enter . this is the only way to stop that. ''But it's a free country and she can wear what she wants.'' Eman Sanoussi, a 28-year-old mother of two whose husband was ushering people around the mosque, said women were greatly respected in Islam. As for the veil, ''we are the ones wearing it'', she said. ''It's really for women as well, not to be judged by your body and the way you do your hair.'' A 70-year-old woman from Newport, who asked not to be named, was at the mosque because she was ''curious'' about Islam. She said she greatly enjoyed herself. ''Religions have always fascinated me and Islam is obviously a very influential religion,'' she said. Her husband was less enthusiastic. He believed the sheikh's answers had sounded pre-prepared. ''Very much like a politician,'' he said. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
