Islamic leader clashes with Howard over terror

Melbourne-based cleric Sheik Mohammed Omran said in an open letter to the prime minister published yesterday that Howard's remarks about the possibility of suicide bombers living in Australia were "inflammatory".

Howard had criticised Omran for what he called "appalling" comments suggesting that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden "in effect is a good man and the attacks in London were the responsibility of the Americans".

There was an obligation on religious leaders "not to incite hatred, not to preach intolerance, and that is a responsibility Islamic leaders in Australia carry very heavily," Howard said.

Omran, head of the fundamentalist Muslim group Ahlus Sunnah wal Jam'ah Association of Australia, hit back in his open letter by attacking the prime minister's comments after the London attacks in which he suggested that Australia could harbour suicide bombers.

"This statement does nothing but entice fear into the hearts of Australians. It is your statement which is inflammatory," he wrote.