VICTORIA'S peak Islamic body has defended a controversial Muslim conference to be held in Melbourne this weekend.
The Islamic Council of Victoria is disappointed with the reaction of politicians and other commentators to the Australian Islamic Peace Conference to be staged at Melbourne Showgrounds.
Last week, state Multicultural Affairs Minister Nick Kotsiras warned organisers they could face prosecution if racial and religious vilification laws were broken.
This followed reports a keynote speaker would be the so-called imam of Mecca, Dr Abdul Rahman al-Sudais who has reportedly made anti-Semitic comments including describing Jews as "scum" and "pigs and monkeys".
But a spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has confirmed Dr al-Sudais has not lodged a visa application. [Herald Sun] Read more
