Australia's Grand Mufti confirms he is the only legitimate leader

After attempts to unseat Australia’s current Grand Mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed told SBS Arabic24 that he is the only legitimate Mufti.

Australian Grand Mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, right, and Sheik Taj Aldin Al-Hilaly. Source: AAP

Australia's designated Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed denied allegations that an election for a new Grand Mufti had taken place during the past few hours, and asserted that he remains the nation’s highest-ranking leader. 

His announcement comes after a video showing a group of men announcing the appointment of the "new" Mufti circulated on social media platforms.

The video shows Egyptian-born Islamic scholar Taj El-Din Hilaly, who was Australia's Grand Mufti from the 1980s until 2007, with a small group of men. During the gathering, the men declared Hilaly as Australia's Grand Mufti.

In a call with SBS Arabic24 designated Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed characterised the video as an individual act and said: “the people who released the video and who were in it are not part of the Islamic council”.

"ANIC [Australian National Imams Council] is the only official body responsible to elect the Grand Mufti of Australia, and it decides the elections as per the set regulations”.

Read more from SBS Arabic24.