In July 2017, Australian police thwarted a plot to bomb an airliner. Four Muslim men were arrested by the Australian Federal Police and raids were carried out on their properties. On October 31, 2017, Tamin Khaja pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist attack on civilians in Sydney. On November 27, 2017, 20-year-old extremist Muslim Ali Khalif Shire was arrested for plotting a mass shooting in Australia and a major terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve.
Alongside these terrorist attacks, some Muslim leaders have ongoing ambitions to purchase gigantic blocks of land and to transform them into Muslim-only neighborhoods. At the same time, Muslim preachers such as Ibrahim Saddiq Conlon have publicly announced that certain parts of Australia should fall under Sharia Law. My warnings were accurate and correct, not because they were predictions, but because I live within the Muslim community, and I know the plans of the Islamic extremists.
I was also active internationally between 2015 and 2017. On February 22, 2017, I volunteered to defend Jakarta’s Christian governor Basuki Purnama (Ahok) at a blasphemy trial in Indonesia, because I truly believed that organizations promoting the ideology of the terrorist leaders responsible for the Bali bombings were plotting to replace him with an Islamic extremist governor.
My Marriage and Divorce
During my journey, I met a woman whom I can safely describe as one of the best people I had come across in my life. We got married in Iraq, as she was originally from one of its holy cities. She was the daughter of a respected scholar, and was a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad. Because our marriage was traditional, only after marriage did we realize how different we were. She insisted on wearing a full burqa, while at times I would publicly wear a suit and tie instead of my religious robes and turban. My views, opinions, and the diplomacy work that I was and still am involved in were seen as unacceptable by her family.
Even though my wife came from a conservative family, I knew that her journey to Australia would have allowed her to see what life is like in the real world, giving her the freedom to release herself from the chains of her ignorant society. Within her ultra-conservative Muslim family, my friendships with Jewish and Christian faith leaders were considered out of bounds for a Muslim imam. With all of our disagreements on life, where to continue living and how, as well as interference from other family members, we agreed that a divorce was best for both of us. Her father was shocked that we had made this decision, as we were less than one year into the marriage.
When we went to legally file a divorce in the Iraqi Supreme Court, the guide at the door directed us to the “newlyweds’ area,” and was surprised to learn that we were there for a divorce. On our way out of the court, he apologized and told us that he had never seen such a friendly group coming to file for a divorce, hence he thought that we were there to register a marriage.
I don’t blame my ex-wife or her family for such a difficult period of my life. Instead, I blame our outdated traditions that are negatively influencing the lives and minds of this innocent generation.
Looking at all of the difficulties and challenges that I endured throughout the last two decades, I am very grateful that none of them have had a negative impact on me. I have seen people murdered in front of me, and I have lost dear people and valuable things in life, but I have always had the ability to move on with a clear mind – something I consider to be a blessing. Some of my friends wonder how I manage to prevent life’s difficulties from negatively impacting me, and my secret is: never have great expectations of anything or anyone, because if they fail to meet your expectations, you will be left hurt or disappointed.
Australian Islamic Leaders Ambush and Assault Me
I am subjected to waves of death threats by Islamic extremists. In addition, in March 2017 I was ambushed and assaulted by two Islamic leaders within Australia. For personal reasons, at this time I choose not to mention the names of those guilty of this crime.
On Friday March 24, 2017, I agreed to meet four leaders of Adelaide’s Muslim community in order to discuss my programs in Australia, specifically Adelaide, along with the statements I had been making in the media – which over time turned out to be true. The meeting was organized by Leader 1, and was held at the University of South Australia’s Magill Campus at 5 pm. Leader 1 is widely described as “one of Australia’s most prominent and respected Muslim leaders.” The meeting included myself, my secretary, and the four Islamic leaders. When we reached the carpark of the university, I had a strong gut feeling that I should begin recording the interview for my own safety. I switched on the audio recording application on my mobile phone and placed it in my pocket.
The meeting began in a very friendly manner, as we shook hands and sat comfortably beside each other around a table. The tension began when Leader 3 decided to aggressively interrogate me regarding an inaccurate media report issued by the ABC in the year 2016. The report suggested that I threatened violence after a man pulled a Muslim woman’s scarf off her head in public. I had condemned and denounced this report previously, and a news article published in The Advertiser set the record straight by correcting the errors. After complaints against the ABC, they also corrected their article.
After Leader 3’s interrogation was over, Leader 2 demanded that I refrain from criticizing extremist Muslims in the media, because it wasn’t “in the best interest” of Australia and the Muslim community. I peacefully and respectfully disagreed by informing him that I would continue to criticize extremist Muslims and warn Australia about any potential terrorist threats. Moments later, Leader 2 stood over me as I remained seated in my chair and, while pointing his finger towards my face, said “Respect yourself.” My secretary immediately sprung from his chair and requested that Leader 2 remained seated and not disrespect the imam (myself). Leader 2 then responded to my secretary, saying: “Who the f**k do you think you are? Sit down! With my shoe [in Arabic]! With my shoe!” – an Arabic statement that implied a threat to hit us with his shoe. Such a comment is also regarded as being highly insulting in Middle Eastern culture.
During this altercation, I stood to calm things down and to make my way outside of the meeting room. Leader 3 raced to shove me against the table while twisting my fingers backwards. I then shouted, “do not touch me, do not touch me,” and told Leader 2: “Don’t threaten anyone and respect yourself!” They then stormed outside of the meeting room except for Leader 1 as he had an appointment scheduled in the same university building. I demanded that Leader 1 call Leaders 2, 3, and 4 to return and apologize to me for physically assaulting me and threatening both me and my secretary. Leader 1, one of “Australia’s most prominent and respected Muslim leaders” refused to do so, and therefore we also left the building. I immediately contacted an Australian intelligence organization and informed them of the ambush and assault. I attended a police station the next day to file a statement and press charges.
I contacted Leader 1 within an hour of the meeting with the following text message:
I knew that I couldn’t trust any one of you, which is why I had everything being recorded. Leader 3 grabbed and twisted my hands which is physical assault. We were threatened to be hit by a shoe in the University of South Australia. I was physically abused and manhandled and also insulted. This is not good for you, or Leader 2, or the University of South Australia.
Leader 1 responded with: “It’s unfortunate you say this because I trusted you …” I then responded:
I met with you to have a peaceful verbal conversation. But when we are ambushed and I’m assaulted, and we are threatened to be hit by Leader