Mohammed Omran

Mohammed Omran
Born Jordan
Other names Abu Ayman
Alma mater Islamic University of Medina (Saudi Arabia)
Organization Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association (Australia) - ASWJA logo[1]
Title Sheikh
Religion Salafi, Muslim
Website www.aswj.com.au/contact.do

Mohammed Omran, also known as Sheikh Abu Ayman, established the Australian branch of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association, with one report saying Omran is Australia’s most senior Salafist cleric.[2]

Early life

Omran was born in Jordan, studied in Saudi Arabia and was sponsored to Australia by the Medina University. He is aligned with the Salafi sect,[3]

Radicalism

Omran is said to be the grandfather of Islamic fundamentalism in Melbourne, however, he made it clear he is against all forms of terrorism[4]

In 1985 Omran established the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association of Australia (ASWJA).[3]

In 2005, when speaking about Osama bin Laden he said, "When you look at the man from some part of his life, yes he is a great man"[5] and that bin Laden is, "a good man in some ways, and not in other ways".[6] A member of the advisory committee for ASWJA said Omran's words were taken out of context.[7]

In 2007, Omran was said to be the spiritual leader of the Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia.[8]

He established prayer-halls in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. At his centre in Brunswick, Victoria, the convicted-terrorist, Abdul Nacer Benbrika was said to have been a teacher[9] and a deputy-leader.[10] Omran has denied that he had close ties with Benbrika.[10]

Omran was said to be the spiritual leader of Australian extremists. A claim Omran denies.[6][11]

With Omran said to have, "the respect of many of those at-risk of being recruited to terrorism", the Australian government has said that it is critical for Islamic leaders, including Omran, to use their influence to stem terrorism.[6]

Harun Mehicevic the leader of Melbourne's Al-Furqan Islamic Information Centre was a student of Sheik Abu Ayman. ASWJ installed Mehicevic as the leader and provided the funds to set up the centre. There has been a subsequent falling-out between the groups.[12]

In March 2016 it was reported that Omran's son Ayman Omran had been killed in Syria while performing humanitarian aid.[13][14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ASWJA logo".
  2. ↑ Le Grand, Chip (23 May 2015). "Australia an estranged country to many Muslims including Sheik Omran". The Australian. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 Rubin, B.M. (2010). Guide to Islamist Movements. 2. Sharpe. p. 119. ISBN 9780765641380. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Bachelard, Michael; Bucci, Nino (26 April 2015). "How do you solve a problem like radical Islam?". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Melbourne cleric stands up for bin Laden". The Age. 12 July 2005. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Government failure to turn teenagers from terror". The Australian. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Muhammad, Amjid (8 November 2005). "The price of playing with fear". The Age. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Stanley, Trevor (7 October 2005). "Al-Qaeda in Australia: Terrorism Monitor Volume: 3 Issue: 19". The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Munro, Ian; Zwartz, Barney (9 November 2005). "Arrested: a man apart who fought to stay in Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  10. 1 2 McKenzie, Nick (11 November 2005). "Terrorism accused not my students: Sheikh". ABC News. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Omran 'at centre of terror web'". News Ltd. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Dowling, James (16 May 2015). "Revealed: The split that created Al-Furqan". Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  13. ↑ Dowling, James (9 March 2016). "Son of senior Australian Muslim cleric believed killed in Syria". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  14. ↑ Oakes, Dan (9 March 2016). "Son of prominent Australian Islamic leader Sheikh Mohammed Omran dies in Syria". ABC News. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
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