It's OK to hit your wife, says Melbourne Islamic cleric Samir Abu Hamza

A MELBOURNE Muslim at the centre of a storm over a lecture where he apparently directed his followers to hit their wives and force them to have sex reportedly says his message was taken out of context.

Coburg mosque cleric Samir Abu Hamza has told a confidant his message about hitting was meant in a metaphorical sense. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Islamic leaders have condemned the lecture. Mr Rudd said Mr Hamza's comments had no place in modern Australia. [The Australian] Read more