Australia: Marsden Park mosque leader says respect in court is part of Koran’s teachings

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There is nothing in the Holy Koran that says Muslims should not stand in court for a magistrate, according to a Western Sydney imam.

Imam Inamul Haq Kauser says children of Ahmadi Muslims
will be Australia’s “best citizens”

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | AU Desk
Source/Credit: The Daily Telegraph
By Leigh van den Broeke | May 25, 2016

No excuse for anyone not to stand in court

There is nothing in their holy book that states they should not respect others or stand for a judge, Marsden Park mosque Imam Inamul ul-Haq Kauser said yesterday.

He said “respect for the law of the land” was an important part of the Islamic way of life.

As the Imam spoke out to put the record straight, a victims of crime group wants all judges and magistrates to get a “memo” telling them they don’t have to put up with it and reinforcing that they can jail an offender who refuses to stand — be it for religious or any other reasons — for 14 days and fine them $1100.

The comments by Imam Kauser, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, follow the latest example of Muslim defendants refusing to stand up in court.

The supporters of the so-called Tinnie Terrorists, the five men accused of attempting to join the Islamic State by sailing a small boat from Cape York in Queensland’s north, failed to stand in Melbourne Magistrates Court this month.

One supporter said standing for a magistrate would “make her equal to God”.

Sydney accused Milad bin Ahmad-Shah Al-Ahmadzai has also previously not stood when appearing before a succession of four Sydney magistrates when facing a range of charges, including threatening to slit the throat of an ASIO officer, and other offences.

Imam Kauser said that it was nothing but “personal opinion” if someone chose to remain seated in court.

“You have to give respect to the court, they should have respect for the magistrate,” he said.

“Even when the schoolteacher walks in you stand. It is a hallmark of Islamic teaching.

“They should show respect for the law of the land and respect for the official.

“The decision for these people to remain seated goes against the Islamic teachings of loving the country where you reside.

“It is very sad.”

NSW Attorney General Gabrielle Upton said the new disrespecting behaviour in court legislation was being discussed in Parliament to combat this type of behaviour.

Judges and Magistrates presently have the power to order someone from the courtroom, issue a warning or seek an apology. The new legislation would mean the offender can be jailed for 14 days and fined $1100.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its promise to make sure disrespectful behaviour, like failing to stand or refusing to follow a reasonable request, is met with a proper penalty,” Ms Upton said.

“This law reflects our community’s expectation that any person who comes before a court should show respect for the Judge and the court.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association are holding their Annual Peace Symposium at the Masjid Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park on June 4.


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