Outrage over ‘fatwa’ forces mosque to pull down website post

(The Age) – AUSTRALIA’S biggest mosque has backed away from its fatwa against Christmas after harsh criticism from the Muslim community and a tirade of racial abuse.

The Lakemba Mosque posted the religious ruling on its Facebook site on Saturday morning, warning followers it was a ”sin” even to wish people a Merry Christmas.

It followed a lecture during Friday prayers in which the head imam, Sheikh Yahya Safi, told the congregation they should not take part in anything to do with Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

Samier Dandan, the head of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which oversees the mosque, said the fatwa was unsanctioned and did not reflect the views of the association or the mosque. It is understood the association’s youth co-ordinator, Bilal el-Hayek, copied the text from another site and posted it after receiving messages from members asking for guidance on celebrating Christmas.

Mr Dandan said it was removed two hours later when an employee noticed it.

”It was an innocent mistake,” he said. Other posts were removed on Sunday after they were flooded with racist abuse and a message reading ”Merry Xmas” appeared in the sky above the mosque.