Paris attacks: France, Germany terror raids
Manhunt continues in France, Germany and Belgium in search for one of the eight attackers involved in the assault on Paris which left at least 129 people dead.
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The Grand Mufti of Australia says he has always "consistently and unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorist violence".
The spiritual leader of Muslims in Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, was responding to criticisms that he had not come out and directly condemned the Paris terrorist attacks which left 132 people dead and more than 350 injured.
The Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed has always condemned terrorism. Photo: Steven Siewert
Dr Mohammed has been under pressure after a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and himself that suggested racism and Islamophobia were partly to blame for the massacre.
He was also the subject of front page ridicule by a media outlet which portrayed him as the "unwise Mufti" who "sees no problem" "hears no concerns" and "speaks no English".
In the statement he said: "We wish to emphasise it is incorrect to imply that the reference to causative factors provides justification for these acts of terrorism. There is no justification for the taking of innocent lives," the statement said.
"The sanctity of human life is guaranteed in Islam. Sadly, in the Paris attacks, people of various faith backgrounds including Islam were brutally murdered. We extend once again our deepest condolences to their families and friends."
Dr Mohammed has also been criticised for not attending the memorial service at St Mary's Cathedral on Monday night. However, Fairfax Media understands Dr Mohammed has been ill with food poisoning since the weekend and had sent an official representative, Maha Abdo the head of the United Muslim Women Association, in his place.​
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie in an interview on Wednesday seemed to suggest that refugees resettled in Australia should be forced to wear electronic monitoring bracelets and maybe the first person to have one is the Grand Mufti.
But Australian Muslim leader Dr Jamal Rifi has come out in support of Dr Mohammed saying: "I know the history of this man. He has condemned terrorism all his life in English and in Arabic."
Last year Dr Mohammed came out strongly against ISIS warning they are criminals "committing crimes against humanity and sins against God".
In a lengthy interview with Fairfax Media he had also warned young people not to trust "Sheik Google and Sheik YouTube", saying they are "very dangerous and they have no moral or religious authority".
Dr Mohammed said at the time also saying he wanted all Muslims to know that the term Islamic State has been "hijacked" and used for political and terrorist purposes.
He said since the group had been established he and the ANIC have been very clear about denouncing their lies and betrayal of our faith.
Speaking from Manila, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he welcomed the clarifying statement from the Grand Mufti.
"I've seen the controversy reported in the press, I've noted also that he [the Grand Mufti] has clarified that initial statement that seems to have cleared up the issue," he said.
"I'm pleased to see his condemnation of Daesh of that terrorist attack has been made very clear in his subsequent remarks."
And Mr Turnbull highlight the condemnation of the Paris attacks from Muslim leaders around the world.
"You've seen the very strong statement that President Widodo made, in utterly rejecting this Daesh [Islamic State] terrorism and pointing out that this is not Islam, they do not seak for Islam, they are not speaking for god, they are godless, they defame religion, they are blasphemers," he said.
"His denunciation of Daesh was echoed to the letter by President Erdogan of Turkey, by Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia and of course by the King of Saudi Arabia."
