A spokesperson for the group Hizb ut-Tahrir in Australia has praised global protests by Muslims in response to an anti-Islamic video but says he does not support violence.
Uthman Badar said the video, which portrays Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent, was a “red line for Muslims, and will not be tolerated.”
“By and large the response has been intellectual and political; it has been peaceful. It's unfortunate the focus of media coverage has been on the minority which has been violent protest.”
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Badar said he wanted to make it clear neither he nor his group supported the violent protests that took place in Sydney at the weekend.
“Anyone who would have seen these scenes would have been concerned, and that includes us.”
“What we're saying is this film is a trigger that brings to the fore more deep-seated issues, tensions between the Muslim world and the west.”
Speaking to SBS News Presenter Kathy Novak, Mr Badar called upon the media and political parties to be held accountable for how such events are displayed.
