:Taj El-Din Hilaly

{{Infobox religious biography

| birth_name = Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly

| native name = تاج الدين حامد الهلالي

| image = TajElDinHamidHilalyCrop.jpg

| caption = Hilaly in 2005

| religion = Islam

| school = Sunni

| Period = 1992–2007

| Predecessor =

| Successor = Fehmi Naji

| ordination =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1941|01|17}}

| birth_place = El-Sumta, Egypt

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2023|10|05|1941|01|17}}

| death_place = Egypt

| website =

}}

Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly (alternatively spelt Tajeddin Hilaly, Hilali, Al-Hilaly, Taj el-Din al-Hilali, Aldin Alhilali, Tajideen El-Hilaly or Tajeddine;Toni Hassan ABC Radio, The Religion Report (transcript)[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1233723.htm Keysar Trad on an alternative Australian Muslim leadership] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124131039/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1233723.htm|date=24 November 2005}} 20 October 2004, retrieved 16 January 2007 17 January 1941 – 5 October 2023) was an Egyptian Australian imam of Lakemba Mosque[http://www.lma.org.au/sheikhs.php The Lebanese Moslems Association: Sheikhs] retrieved 26 January 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125062708/http://www.lma.org.au/sheikhs.php |date=25 January 2007 }} in Sydney and a Sunni Muslim leader in Australia.{{cite web |author-first=Richard |author-last=Kerbaj |author-link=Richard Kerbaj |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18723068-28737,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060407225400/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18723068-28737,00.html |archive-date=7 April 2006 |title=Islam's secular stoush. 6 April 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 June 2016}} retrieved 28 January 2007 The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils appointed him Mufti of Australia in 1988. He referred to himself as the Grand Mufti of Australia and New Zealand, although this title was not unanimously endorsed,Geraldine Doogue ABC Radio Sunday Profile (transcript)[http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s1060425.htm Sheik Al-Hilaly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060409120651/http://www.abc.net.au/sundayprofile/stories/s1060425.htm |date=9 April 2006 }} Sunday, 7 March 2004, retrieved 16 January 2007 and was also described by some Muslims as honorary,{{cite news|last=Walsh and Berry|first=Kerry-Anne and Sean|title=Plea for a little understanding|date=7 March 2004|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/06/1078464694846.html?from=storyrhs}} retrieved 16 January 2007 rather than substantial.

Hilaly was a controversial figure and made several controversial statements, as well as having promoted Islamic extremism on many occasions. Hilaly spread many antisemitic conspiracy theories during his lifetime, including claims that Western countries are controlled by Israel and claims that the Holocaust was a "Zionist lie". Hilaly was known for his antisemitic, anti-LGBT, anti-Western and Islamic supremacist views, as well as for his misogynistic statements. After a series of controversial statements on social issues, Hilaly retired from this position in June 2007 and was succeeded by Fehmi Naji.[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21891258-5006009,00.html Bin Laden backer blasted] The Daily Telegraph

Early life

Born in Egypt, Hilaly arrived in Australia in 1982 on a tourist visa from Lebanon. Although the visa was temporary, it was routinely reissued until 1988 when then Minister for Immigration Chris Hurford attempted to have Hilaly deported for being against "Australian values".{{Cite web |first=Barrie |last=Cassidy |title=Former minister outlines reservations over sheik |url=https://abc.net.au/news/programs/insiders |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=29 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518203755/http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/content/2003/s890658.htm |archive-date=18 May 2006 }} The Islamic community showed strong support for Hilaly to remain in Australia,John Stewart [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s759146.htm Imam's arrest adds to tensions. 07/01/2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222183045/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s759146.htm |date=22 February 2008 }} retrieved 29 January 2007 and Hilaly was eventually granted permanent residence in 1990 by Hurford's successor Gerry Hand.{{Cite web |first=Gerard |last=Henderson |date=9 March 2004 |title=Think murder and then call it poetry |url=https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/think-murder-and-then-call-it-poetry-20040309-gdii22.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

Appointment as Imam

Hilaly served as Imam at Lakemba Mosque, which is run by the Lebanese Muslim Association. However, his wages were paid by "the Libyan Islamic Call Society and private individuals", according to a former vice-president of the LMA.Irfan Yusuf [http://newmatilda.com/home/articledetail.asp?ArticleID=1899 Islam and Australia: Hilali Has to Go. Wednesday 1 November 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032805/http://newmatilda.com/home/articledetail.asp?ArticleID=1899 |date=27 September 2007 }} retrieved 27 January 2007

Criminal charges

In 1999 Hilaly was charged and jailed after being convicted of being involved in smuggling goods from Egypt to Australia, which he denied.Islamic Council of Victoria [http://www.icv.org.au/history8.shtml Islamic Council of Victoria: History: After the Second World War© Copyright ICV 2002]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021201032700/http://www.icv.org.au/history8.shtml |date=1 December 2002 }} retrieved 29 January 2007{{cite web |title='Beacon of light': Former grand mufti of Australia Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilali dies aged 82 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/beacon-of-light-former-grand-mufti-of-australia-sheikh-taj-el-din-hilali-dies-aged-82/f6fvl77eh |website=SBS News |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=en}}

In early 2003 Hilaly's vehicle was stopped because an object was protruding from it. After closer inspection, New South Wales Police charged him with driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, as well as for his behaviour towards the police officers.Jo Mazzocchi, ABC Radio [http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s758722.htm Sheik Taj el-Din Al Hilaly Facing Summons. Tuesday, 7 January 2003] retrieved 29 January 2007 This incident led to an attack against police officers by nearby Muslims and widespread condemnation from the public.John Stewart, ABC Radio [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s759146.htm Imam's arrest adds to tensions. 07/01/2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222183045/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s759146.htm |date=22 February 2008 }} retrieved 29 January 2007 Although charges of assaulting the police officers, hindering the officers, and resisting arrest were later dropped due to police using invalid evidence to justify their suspicion and subsequent search, Hilaly was fined A$400 for the incident.Linda Morris, Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/04/1059849343336.html Muslim leader's arrest ordeal put to rest. 5 August 2003] retrieved 29 January 2007

Negotiation to free Douglas Wood

In May 2005 Australian contractor Douglas Wood was abducted by a militant group calling itself the Shura Council of the Mujahideen of Iraq. They demanded that the Australian government withdraw its troops from Iraq in exchange for Wood. Twice that month, Hilaly traveled to Iraq to negotiate Wood's release, the second time interrupting treatment for a heart condition and returning, at the explicit request of the Australian government, "to Baghdad to deliver an extraordinary offer to Mr Wood's captors, on their behalf." Hilaly said later, "There was a point where the abductors wanted $25 million. Eventually, we managed to convince them to drop this demand and a figure, in the thousands, was agreed."{{Cite web |date=19 June 2005 |title=I stopped execution of Douglas Wood: mufti |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/i-stopped-execution-of-douglas-wood-mufti-20050619-gdljdz.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} Hilaly also claimed to have spoken to Douglas Wood via telephone, yet after Douglas Wood was rescued following a raid by the Iraqi army, Wood denied ever having spoken to Hilaly.{{Cite web | title=Wood 'negotiations' led to ransom hopes |website=abc.net.au |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1405801.htm | date=3 July 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050731075152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1405801.htm |archive-date=31 July 2005 }}.

2005 Australian Muslim Achievement Award

In July 2005 Hilaly was named "Muslim Man of the Year" for 2005 at the first Australian Muslim Achievement Awards by Mission of Hope (Muslim Community Solutions for Health and Well-being).MoH(2005) [http://www.missionofhope.org.au/docs/finalists.pdf Mission of Hope Awards Finalists 2005].Crescents Community News(2005) [http://www.crescentsofbrisbane.org/Newsletter/CCN0036.htm CCN Sunday,17 July 2005, Newsletter 0036].

Controversial statements

=1988 speech regarding Jews=

Australian Jewish organisations have regularly accused Hilaly of antisemitism, a charge he denied. The charges began in 1988 when Hilaly delivered a lecture to a group of Muslim students at University of Sydney on the topic "The Disposition of Jews in the light of the Qur'an." He was quoted as saying:

{{quote|The Jews' struggle with humanity is as old as history itself; the present continuing struggle with the Islam nation is a natural continuation of the Jews' enmity towards the human race as a whole. Judaism controls the world by...secret movements as the destructive doctrines and groups, such as communism, libertarianism, Free Masons, Baháʼísm, the Rotary clubs, the nationalistic and racist doctrines. The Jews try to control the world through sex, then sexual perversion, then the promotion of espionage, treason, and economic hoarding.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/immigration-mistakes-return-to-haunt-us-20061031-gdopwh.html|title = Immigration mistakes return to haunt us|date = 31 October 2006}}[http://www.ci-ce-ct.com/Feature%20articles/Mufti/muftispeech.asp Home] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201034107/http://www.ci-ce-ct.com/Feature%20articles/Mufti/muftispeech.asp |date=1 December 2005 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.jcpa.org/phas/phas-jones-f04.htm |title=Confronting Reality: Anti-Semitism in Australia Today – Jeremy Jones |access-date=26 October 2006 |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001213639/http://www.jcpa.org/phas/phas-jones-f04.htm |url-status=dead }}}}

Hilaly did not apologise nor retract his comments, in which he accused Jews of "causing all wars."[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1469192.htm#anchor The Religion Report: 28 September 2005 – Full Transcript] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528101555/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1469192.htm |date=28 May 2006 }}

=February 2004 sermon=

In February 2004 Hilaly gave a sermon at a mosque in Sidon, Lebanon, whilst overseas the text of which was translated by the Australian Embassy in Beirut. It appeared to show him supporting terrorist attacks. In his sermon, Hilaly said:

{{quote|Sons of Islam, there is a war of infidels taking place everywhere. The true man is the boy who opposes Israeli tanks with strength and faith. The boy who, despite his mother's objections, goes out to war to become a martyr like his elder brother. The boy who tells his mother: 'Oh mother, don't cry for me if I die. Oh mother, Jihad has been imposed on me and I want to become a martyr'."

11 September is God's work against oppressors. Some of the things that happen in the world cannot be explained; a civilian airplane whose secrets cannot be explained if we ask its pilot who reached his objective without error, who led your steps? Or if we ask the giant that fell, who humiliated you? Or if we ask the President, who made you cry? God is the answer.|Taj El-Din Hilaly{{cite web|date = 13 February 2004|url = http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s1058934.htm|title = Sheikh Hilaly Sermon at Sidon Mosque|publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date = 21 August 2007|last = Taj El-Din Hilaly|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070914201050/http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s1058934.htm|archive-date = 14 September 2007|url-status = dead}}}}

In his speech, he also predicted that Muslims would control the White House and appeared to support Hezbollah.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/28/1077677014393.html | title=11 September is God's work: Mufti | date=29 February 2004 | work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} The Australian Federal Police declined to investigate his activities overseas.

=2006 Holocaust denial=

In July 2006 Hilaly was sacked from Prime Minister of Australia John Howard's Muslim Community Reference Group following comments he made in which he denied the Holocaust, calling it a "Zionist lie". He also referred to Israel as a "cancer". This prompted calls for legal action to be pursued against him in a country which has the highest per-capita number of Holocaust survivors in the world outside Israel.[http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news.asp?pgID=1189 Call for legal action over mufti's Holocaust denial (July 21, 2006)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205060737/http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news.asp?pgID=1189 |date=5 December 2008 }}

=October 2006 sermon=

==Comments concerning dress and rape==

In October 2006, Hilaly delivered a Ramadan sermon in Arabic in which he made statements concerning female clothing which proved highly controversial. The key part of these was:

{{quote|If you take out uncovered meat and place it outside on the street, or in the garden or in the park, or in the backyard without a cover, and the cats come and eat it ... whose fault is it, the cats' or the uncovered meat? The uncovered meat is the problem. If she was in her room, in her home, in her hijab, no problem would have occurred.|Taj El-Din Hilaly{{Cite web |date=2006-10-26 |title=Ethnic leaders condemn Muslim cleric |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/ethnic-leaders-condemn-muslim-cleric-20061026-ge3fal.html |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=The Age |language=en}}{{cite web|date=28 October 2006 |url=http://www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au/region.php?id=132248®ion=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927205717/http://www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au/region.php?id=132248®ion=7 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=Read Sheik Hilaly's comments |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |access-date=21 August 2007 }}}}

Hilaly also said, "in the state of zina, the responsibility falls 90 per cent of the time on the woman. Why? Because she possesses the weapon of enticement (igraa)."{{cite news |last=Kerbaj |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Kerbaj |title=Muslim leader blames women for sex attacks |date=26 October 2006 |publisher=The Australian |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html |access-date=26 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026045320/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html|archive-date=26 October 2006|url-status=dead}} Hilaly later claimed that he had intended to suggest that "if a woman who shows herself off, she is to blame...but a man should be able to control himself." He also contended that his references to the prison sentence of Bilal Skaf, the leader of a group of Lebanese Australians who committed gang rapes in Sydney in 2000, in which he said that women would "sway suggestively" before men "and then you get a judge without mercy (rahma) and gives you 65 years", were aimed at illustrating the need for harsh sanctions for rape.

==Reactions and responses==

Phong Nguyen, chairman of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria, responded by saying, "Cultural diversity and equality between the sexes in Australia means that women are entitled to dress as they choose and should never be judged on their dress choice." He also commented, "The standard of someone's dress should never be used to justify rape, which is a criminal offence."

Pru Goward, Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner, responded during a television interview that "It is incitement to a crime. Young Muslim men who now rape women can cite this in court, can quote this man... their leader in court. It's time we stopped just saying he should apologise. It is time the Islamic community did more than say they were horrified. I think it is time he left."{{Cite web |date=26 October 2006 |title=Deport rape comment cleric, says Goward |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/deport-rape-comment-cleric-says-goward-20061026-ge3f9r.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=The Age |language=en}}

Keysar Trad, a spokesman for Hilaly, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "From my discussions with him, the issue was not whether they wear a hijab or don't wear a hijab. The issue is that every society has a certain dress code, a normal dress code that people go by. So if somebody goes beyond that dress code, if men or women get to the stage where they dress in a manner that is provocative then these people are doing something wrong. He was not talking about rape."{{Cite web |date=26 October 2006 |website=The Australian |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20647912-601,00.html |title=Mufti was not talking about rape: associate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219195511/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20647912-601,00.html |archive-date=19 February 2008 }}

After such comments were made publicly, on 26 October 2006 Hilaly released a statement. He said, "I unreservedly apologise to any woman who is offended by my comments. I had only intended to protect women's honour, something lost in The Australian presentation of my talk."{{Cite web |date=26 October 2006 |title=Sheik apologises for sexist comments |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/sheik-apologises-for-sexist-comments-20061027-ge3fer.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=The Age |language=en}}

The Australian National Imams Council was formed in 2006 during a meeting of more than 80 Imams which had gathered to discuss the crisis created by comments made by Taj El-Din Hilaly.{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Conor |title=Reclaim the Streets rally protests Hilali comments |url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1775716.htm|newspaper=ABC|date=28 October 2006}}{{cite book|author-last1=Rane |author-first1=Halim |title=Islam and the Australian News Media|year=2010|publisher=Melbourne University Press|isbn=978-0522856408 |location=Carlton, Vic.|author-first2=Jacqui |author-last2=Ewart |author-first3=Mohamad |author-last3=Abdalla |oclc=864823300 |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/864823300 |page=46}}

==Bikini march==

In late 2006 Melbourne resident Christine Hawkins organised a bikini rally, in which women were to wear beach clothing and march on Lakemba Mosque and the Islamic Information and Support Centre in Brunswick, Melbourne, to voice their "disgust" at Hilaly's comments.The Australian Hawkins is the mother of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who helped her to design and publicize the website for the event. http://www.themonthly.com.au/julian-assange-cypherpunk-revolutionary-robert-manne-3081 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123182511/http://www.themonthly.com.au/julian-assange-cypherpunk-revolutionary-robert-manne-3081 |date=23 January 2013 }} [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20883616-7583,00.html Opinion: Youthful ignorance: No one is served by covering up Islamic outrages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527013812/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20883616-7583,00.html |date=27 May 2007 }}, 7 December 2006Taghred Chandab and Matthew Benns, [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/12/02/1164777846230.html?from=top5 Mosque to get police protection], Sydney Morning Herald, 3 December 2006Sabra Lane, ABC television (transcript), [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1798532.htm Women protest Sheikh's comments with bikini march], 27 November 2006 Ultimately, organisers claimed that public reports critical of the demonstration and personal attacks caused them to abandon the event.[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20910197-662,00.html Great Australian Bikini March off], Herald Sun, 12 December 2006

=January 2007 television comments=

On 8 January 2007, Hilaly appeared on an Egyptian television program. He made a number of comments that sparked criticism in Australia, including the following:

British and Irish settlers arrived in Australia as convicts. Muslims paid for their own tickets, and so have more right to Australia
Western people, especially the English race, are the biggest liars and oppressors.

Hilaly also condemned the level of rights awarded to homosexuals in Australia, stating "We have Christian churches which allow people of the same gender to marry" and "I understand the mentality of the West and especially the Australian mentality and I understand that the Australian law guarantees freedoms to the point of insanity."Kerbaj, Richard (12 January 2007) [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/hilali-ridicules-nation-of-convicts/story-e6frg6nf-1111112819960 Hilali ridicules nation of convicts] The Australian. retrieved 29 January 2015

Leys, Nick (13 January 2007) [https://archive.today/20121215202301/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21051494-5001561,00.html On air with the foot-in-mouth mufti] The Australian ? {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

= Proposed political movement=

Following his comments on social and legal issues and in the lead-up to the 2007 Federal election, Hilaly proposed to form a political party to represent Islamic interests in the national Parliament. The party was to have been supported by the political committee of Muslim community elders, also created by Hilaly. The suggested motto was: "With you, from and for you".

{{Cite news | last1 =McIlveen | first1 =Luke | last2 =Yamine | first2 =Evelyn | title = Poll Sheikh-Up – Mufti: It's time for an Islamic 'Peace' Party | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) | pages =Page 1 | date = 13 March 2007}} A party manifesto had originally been drafted in 2001 but the idea was abandoned in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks. Hilaly indicated he would register the party with several thousand members by late 2007.

{{Cite news

| last1 =Yamine

| first1 =Evelyn

| last2 =Rolfe

| first2 =John

| title = Giving politics a Sheik

| newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)

| date = 12 March 2007

| url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21365319-5001021,00.html}}

The proposed new party was immediately criticised. Opposition leader Kevin Rudd was quoted as saying "Australians will never vote for a man who denigrates women, defends gang rapists and makes statements when he is in the Middle East denouncing Australia and Australians." Prime Minister John Howard commented "It would be unwise because it would heighten the belief of some in the community that islamic Australians are opposed to integration."{{Cite news|last=Yamine |first=Evelyn |title=Rudd is scared of Islam: Sheik |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |pages=Page 2 |date=14 March 2007 |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21369816-5001021,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904052439/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21369816-5001021,00.html |archive-date=4 September 2007 }}

The concept of the Party was abandoned once again in June 2007 when Hilaly retired from his role as Mufti.{{Cite web |date=10 June 2007 |title=Controversial sheik steps down |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/controversial-sheik-steps-down-20070611-gdqcra.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2007/1883247.htm#transcript Mufti Sheikh Hilaly's tenure coming to an end]

Cleared of alleged links to Hezbollah

Allegations surfaced that Hilaly was diverting relief funds intended for the victims of the Israel-Lebanon war to Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, the military wing of which is classified as a terrorist organisation by the Australian Government. On 10 May 2007 the Australian Federal Police cleared Hilaly of diverting charitable funds to Hezbollah.{{cite web|date = 10 May 2007|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1919590.htm|title = AFP clears Al Hilali of funding Hezbollah|publisher = ABC|access-date = 21 August 2007|quote = An Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation has cleared the Sydney Muslim cleric, Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilali, of diverting charitable funds to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070518034338/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1919590.htm|archive-date = 18 May 2007|url-status = dead}}

Retirement and death

The Council of Islamic Jurisprudence and Research reappointed Hilaly as Grand Mufti on 10 June 2007; however, he declined the position, thereby ending his term in office.