Taj El-Din Hilaly

Taj El-Din Hilaly
تاج الدين حامد الهلالي
Hilaly in 2005
Personal
Born
Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly

(1941-01-17)17 January 1941
Died5 October 2023(2023-10-05) (aged 82)
Egypt
ReligionIslam
SchoolSunni
Muslim leader
Period in office1992–2007
SuccessorFehmi Naji

Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly (alternatively spelt Tajeddin Hilaly, Hilali, Al-Hilaly, Taj el-Din al-Hilali, Aldin Alhilali, Tajideen El-Hilaly or Tajeddine;[1] 17 January 1941 – 5 October 2023) was an Egyptian Australian imam of Lakemba Mosque[2] in Sydney and a Sunni Muslim leader in Australia.[3] The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils appointed him Mufti of Australia in 1988. He referred to himself as the Grand Mufti of Australia and New Zealand, although this title was not unanimously endorsed,[1][4] and was also described by some Muslims as honorary,[5] rather than substantial.

Hilaly was a controversial figure and made several controversial statements, as well as having promoted Islamic extremism on many occasions. Hilaly spread many antisemitic conspiracy theories during his lifetime, including claims that Western countries are controlled by Israel and claims that the Holocaust was a "Zionist lie". Hilaly was known for his antisemitic, anti-LGBT, anti-Western and Islamic supremacist views, as well as for his misogynistic statements. After a series of controversial statements on social issues, Hilaly retired from this position in June 2007 and was succeeded by Fehmi Naji.[6]

  1. ^ a b Toni Hassan ABC Radio, The Religion Report (transcript)Keysar Trad on an alternative Australian Muslim leadership Archived 24 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine 20 October 2004, retrieved 16 January 2007
  2. ^ The Lebanese Moslems Association: Sheikhs retrieved 26 January 2007 Archived 25 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Kerbaj, Richard. "Islam's secular stoush. 6 April 2006". Archived from the original on 7 April 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2016. retrieved 28 January 2007
  4. ^ Geraldine Doogue ABC Radio Sunday Profile (transcript)Sheik Al-Hilaly Archived 9 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine Sunday, 7 March 2004, retrieved 16 January 2007
  5. ^ Walsh and Berry, Kerry-Anne and Sean (7 March 2004). "Plea for a little understanding". The Sydney Morning Herald. retrieved 16 January 2007
  6. ^ Bin Laden backer blasted The Daily Telegraph