Muslim Youth Interpretations of a Misunderstood Leadership

Abstract

In late 2006 the controversial then Mufti of Australia – Sheikh Taj ud Din al Hilali gave a 15 minute advice to the women of his mosque after the Tarawih prayers in Ramadan. Unknown to him the talk was taped, translated and released to the media with the now infamous “cat and meat sermon” dividing the Muslim community and bringing further unwanted notoriety to its religious leadership. Embedded in traditional conservative ideas, the talk was interpreted by media and politicians as evidence that Muslim values and aspects of Islamic leadership were a threat to the Australian way of life. In response the Muslim community debated an array of interpretations and perspectives on the role and responsibility of religious leadership. These debates entrenched young Muslim’s belief in a hostile media and brought into sharp relief issues of identity and citizenship. It also affected and challenged young Muslim’s view of their religious leadership. This paper will analyse how the resulting controversy was artfully interpreted by various players including local community and political leaders through the media, and its affect on male Muslim youth in South Western Sydney, based on interviews with young Muslims and prominent youth mentors and leaders.