Australian Peace Party

Founded by Islamic Cleric Taj El-Din Hilaly, the Australian Peace Party is an Australian political party created to represent Muslim interests, claiming not to exclude people of other religions. The party is supported by the political committee of Muslim community elders, also created by Hilaly. The party's motto is: "With you, from and for you".Citation
last =McIlveen
first =Luke
author-link =
last2 =Yamine
first2 =Evelyn
author2-link =
title = POLL SHEIK-UP - Mufti: It's time for an Islamic 'Peace' Party
newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
pages =Page 1
year = 2007
date = 13th March 2007
url =]

The party has been criticised by opponents as being divisive. Opposition leader Kevin Rudd was quoted as saying "Australians will never vote for a man who denigrates women, defends gang rapists and makes statements when he is in the Middle East denouncing Australia and Australians." Prime Minister John Howard commented "It would be unwise because it would heighten the belief of some in the community that islamic Australians are opposed to integration.".Citation
last =Yamine
first =Evelyn
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Rudd is scared of Islam: Sheik
newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
pages =Page 2
year = 2007
date = 14th March 2007
url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21369816-5001021,00.html]

A party manifesto was originally drafted in 2001 and although thousands of membership forms were printed, the idea was abandoned in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks and only resurrected in March of 2007. Hilaly aims to register the party with several thousand members by late 2007. [Citation
last =Yamine
first =Evelyn
author-link =
last2 =Rolfe
first2 =John
author2-link =
title = Giving politics a Sheik
newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
pages =
year = 2007
date = 12th March 2007
url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21365319-5001021,00.html]

Ethos

The Australian Peace Party will promote all actions that achieve peace, security and harmony amongst the different people throughout the world.

The Australian Peace Party believes in benefiting from our own resources and potential and in uniting the scattered masses in order to form one strong united body that will work to achieve our shared aims and objectives.

Benefit

The Australian Peace Party will add a strong fort around Australia as a nation with many political parties and will work with these parties faithfully for the progress and betterment of Australia.

Notes