Mustapha and Diaa Kara-Ali: Muslim brothers claimed law did not apply to them
Two Muslim brothers who claim Australian law does not apply to them have been fined $100,000 for contempt of court.
Source: Mustapha and Diaa Kara-Ali: Muslim brothers claimed law did not apply to them
They laughed when the judge handed down the punishment today in Sydney’s Land and Environment Court for felling trees to build a Muslim religious centre on their property without council permission.
The brothers had tried to argue that the Islamic organisation they ran, Diwan Al Dawla, was exempt from Australian law on religious grounds.
The judge called it a “flagrant” breach of a court order in relation to construction works to build a Muslim religious centre on their rural property in Colo.
They and their business were convicted on 12 charges of contempt of court.
In his ruling, Justice Sheahan also said he found it “curious” the men were adamant the law did not apply to them but they were willing to take advantage of the legal system when it came to the “tax status” and “privileges” of their religious organisation.
A furious Mustapha Kara-Ali left the Court on Thursday saying: “Our religion is prime, the cross belongs in the dustbin of history.”
