MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Australia's top Islamic cleric, who came under fire last year when he likened women without head scarves to "uncovered meat," stepped down Sunday. Muslim leaders appointed a new mufti.
Australia's council of Muslim leaders appointed Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam as the nation's senior cleric after months of criticism over the previous mufti, Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali.
The council initially offered al-Hilali another two-year term in the post, but he "gracefully declined," according to a statement released by the Australian National Imams Council.
"We recognize the great services that Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali has provided over the years and we pray for his good health," the statement said.
The sheik declined to say why he stepped down.
Rehin Ghauri, a senior Muslim leader from Western Australia state, said moderate Muslims would be glad to leave behind the friction of al-Hilali's 18-year tenure.
"Al-Hilali is very experienced, but he has caused some problems to the community," Ghauri said. "I don't like his personality, I don't like his style ... pulling punches gets you nowhere, you bring controversy instead of friends."
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