The founder of a new Islamic political party says it was probably ill-conceived of the Grand Mufti of Australia to cite "causative factors" when speaking about the attacks in Paris.
But Diaa Mohamed, who this week announced the formation of the Australian Muslim Party, says anger expressed by some federal ministers and in other quarters towards Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed's remarks in the wake of the terror attack was probably a bit of an overreaction.
"And I think it goes back to that inferiority complex that we as Muslims have in this country. We don't want to say anything wrong, we choose our words carefully, and I think in his case, it can be too carefully," Mr Mohamed, 33, told AAP on Thursday.
"I think he used that opportunity to express some other concerns, which he went on and listed I think two or three or four. It probably wasn't the right thing to do, but it's not like he meant to justify (what happened in Paris)."
Dr Mohammed, in a statement issued late on Sunday, expressed "deepest condolences" over the Islamic State assault in the French capital, while at the same time saying "causative factors" such as racism and Islamophobia in Australia needed to be addressed.
The Grand Mufti had previously condemned Islamic State.
Diaa Mohamed said: "If anyone ... is okay with innocent people dying: quite frankly they should be jailed. Even though it's an opinion, but it's just such a disgusting opinion."
The Australian Muslim Party, he said, was not formed not as a religious party.
"We're going to be talking about social issues, not so much religious issues, to be honest. I mean, Islam is a faith based on social issues and that's what we're going to be focused on."
The party is yet to produce a manifesto or form any policies, and was very much in its infancy, he said.
It plans to field Senate candidates in all states and territories at next year's federal election.
