Mohammad Tawhidi

Tawhidi is a Shia Muslim, and was born in Qom, Iran, to Iraqi parents, who emigrated to Australia with their family to escape persecution.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/imam-tawhidi-the-problem-with-the-medias-favourite-muslim/8643726 |publisher=ABC News |title=Imam Mohammad Tawhidi: The problem with the media's favourite Muslim |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710194931/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/imam-tawhidi-the-problem-with-the-medias-favourite-muslim/8643726 |archive-date=10 July 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}

Mohammad Tawhidi is a Shia scholar of Iraqi descent and a third generation Imam. He was ordained by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi and certified by the “Al-Rasul Seminary School in Qom and the Islamic Seminary of Karbala,” certifying competence and suitability for entrusted roles.”{{Cite web |last=Tawhidi |first=Office of Imam |date=2017-12-21 |title=Royal Institute Investigation Verifies Imam Tawhidi's Credentials - |url=https://imamtawhidi.com/royalinvestigation/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |language=en-AU}} A report by the ABC News stated that "Tawhidi is not recognised as an Imam or Sheikh by either the Australian National Imams Council or its South Australian equivalent, nor is he affiliated with any Australian mosque or prayer centre."

In 2009, he enrolled in a bachelor degree in Islamic studies at Al-Mustafa University in Qom, but withdrew in 2012 for ideological reasons.Adcock, Bronwyn (25 June 2017). "[http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2017-06-25/8643794 Shadows of the Sheikh: how an Adelaide Imam with a mysterious past became a media star] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004201506/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2017-06-25/8643794 |date=4 October 2017 }}". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 28 July 2018. Tawhidi became disillusioned with anti-Western views during his time at Al-Mustafa and decided to leave the institution.{{Cite news |date=2017-06-23 |title=The problem with Imam Tawhidi, the media's favourite Muslim |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/imam-tawhidi-the-problem-with-the-medias-favourite-muslim/8643726 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

He shifted his focus to addressing challenges within Islam through media, where his statements have drawn both support and criticism. Tawhidi advocates for reinterpreting Islamic texts in ways that align with modern human rights and societal values.{{Cite web |date= |url=https://iris.uniroma1.it/retrieve/c46cd128-c7dc-41bb-8b5a-5d59d887fd80/Tesi_dottorato_Hamdan.pdf |title=Tesi di Dottorato di Hamdan |language=it |accessdate=2024-02-11}}{{Cite web |title=Islam, human rights and universality {{!}} Universal Rights Group |url=https://www.universal-rights.org/islam-human-rights-and-universality/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.universal-rights.org}}{{Cite web |date= |url=https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/handle/10822/1051989/Tais_georgetown_0076D_14063.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Tais Georgetown 0076D 14063 |language=en |accessdate=2024-02-11}} He encourages scholars to adopt a flexible and contextual approach to help reduce extremism and foster better relationships with Western societies. He later co-founded Imam Hussein TV 3.

In 2015, he returned to Australia, and lived there until 2024.{{Cite web |date= |url=https://torontosun.com/news/national/global-imams-council-selects-toronto-as-western-headquarters |title=Global Imams Council selects Toronto as Western headquarters |language=en |accessdate=2024-02-11}} He is fluent in Arabic, English, and Persian.Rodway, Nick (26 August 2017). "[https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/08/man-of-peace/ Man of peace] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729141822/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/08/man-of-peace/ |date=29 July 2018 }}". The Spectator. Retrieved 28 July 2018.

Tawhidi had earlier held Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi as his marja taqlid. Since 2015, Tawhidi has stated that he does not subscribe to any particular religious leader. There have been marked differences between his and Shirazi's views on a host of issues.

Tawhidi is the former president of the Islamic Association of South Australia,{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/23/australian-imam-volunteering-defend-jakartas-ahok-blasphemy-trial|title=Australian imam volunteering to defend Jakarta's Ahok at blasphemy trial|date=23 February 2017|publisher=SBS World News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620030241/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/23/australian-imam-volunteering-defend-jakartas-ahok-blasphemy-trial|archive-date=20 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|df=dmy-all}} which he founded in 2016.

Tawhidi believes that Muslim societies should move away from extremist teachings and focus on reform. As an originalist, he advocates for restoring Islam to its core principles of worship and good deeds.{{cite web|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2017/03/29/islam-must-reform-or-it-won-t-survive--imam.html|publisher=Sky News Australia|title=Islam must reform or it won't survive: Imam|date=29 March 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607105421/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2017/03/29/islam-must-reform-or-it-won-t-survive--imam.html|archive-date=7 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He deems all acts of terrorism to be condemned in the Quran,{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/national-security-the-rol_b_11635624.html|title=National Security: The Roles of Muslim Faith Leaders|date=22 August 2016|work=HuffPost|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607070941/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/national-security-the-rol_b_11635624.html|archive-date=7 June 2017|access-date=15 June 2017|df=dmy-all}} and denounced extremist groups and ideologies such as the Islamic State and the Iranian Regime as a political movement, not representative of the religion.{{cite web |title=Imam Tawhidi |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/imam-tawhidi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626143614/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/imam-tawhidi |archive-date=26 June 2017 |access-date=9 June 2017 |work=HuffPost |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web |date= |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/imam-mohammad-tawhidi-muslims-cant-allow-islamist-antisemites-to-hijack-the-faith |title=Imam Mohammad Tawhidi: Muslims can't allow Islamist antisemites to hijack the faith |language=en |accessdate=2024-02-11}}

In June 2017, after the jihadi terrorist attack in London, he described extremism as a "cancer" to the religion.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-terror-attack-latest-muslims-help-victims-free-rides-food-shelter-borough-market-isis-a7771796.html|title=Muslim taxi drivers offer free rides home after London terror attacks|date=4 June 2017|work=The Independent|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607131224/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-terror-attack-latest-muslims-help-victims-free-rides-food-shelter-borough-market-isis-a7771796.html|archive-date=7 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|df=dmy-all}} He is critical of the treatment of women in some Muslim-majority countries, has called for the appointment of women to the Australian National Imams Council, and has rejected the compulsory use of the hijab in public.{{cite web|url=http://www.2gb.com/alans-7-10-editorial-070617/|title=Alan's 7.10 editorial 070617|date=7 June 2017|publisher=2GB|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712040218/http://www.2gb.com/alans-7-10-editorial-070617/|archive-date=12 July 2017|access-date=13 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/peak-islamic-council-needs-a-female-mufti-says-south-australian-imam/news-story/9d737c12f2ec059f4b601164d7547c96|title=Peak Islamic council needs a female mufti, says South Australian imam|date=8 April 2017|work=The Australian|access-date=15 June 2017}} Tawhidi also opposes Muslims justifying domestic violence, polygamy and the killing of apostates on Islamic, jurisprudential, or legal grounds.

Tawhidi supports educational systems that promote intellectual freedom, critical thinking about religious texts, and the inclusion of science and philosophy alongside religious studies.

Critics have accused Tawhidi of only criticizing Sunni Muslims. Zuhdi Jasser, writing an op-ed for Asia Times Online, said that Tawhidi only criticised Sunni Islamists and never Islamists within his own community such as the Iran regime;{{cite web |date=10 May 2017 |title=Is Tawhidi the imam Australia's been waiting for? |url=http://www.atimes.com/tawhidi-imam-australias-waiting-no/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612091354/http://www.atimes.com/tawhidi-imam-australias-waiting-no/ |archive-date=12 June 2017 |access-date=12 June 2017 |work=Asia Times |df=dmy-all}}{{Efn|Tawhidi has however criticised Iran for imprisoning scholars critical of government, and stated the people of Iran regularly witness "waves of oppression, torture and lack of human rights."{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/the-refugee-crisis-why-muslims-flee-from-islamic-governments_b_8931588.html|work=HuffPost|title=The Refugee Crisis: Why Muslims Are Fleeing from Islamic Governments|date=8 January 2016|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601010943/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/the-refugee-crisis-why-muslims-flee-from-islamic-governments_b_8931588.html|archive-date=1 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}|name=|group=}} in essence, he was not a reformist but a Shia radical.

Tawhidi has criticized the Iranian regime's treatment of minors, saying it goes against international child protection standards and some Islamic teachings.

Chloe Patton, in a piece for the ABC, referred to Tawhidi as a "Shia extremist" and accused him of waging a "sectarian war against Australia's majority Sunni community." Patton referred to Tawhidi's comments to Andrew Bolt that Sahih al-Bukhari, a sacred Sunni text, should be banned. Paul Barry, presenter of Media Watch, made mention of Tawhidi calling sacred Sunni texts "monkey teachings", and describing Sunnis as "followers of an alcoholic, rapist caliph."{{Efn|However, on occasions, Tawhidi has promoted unity amongst Muslim sects and opposed sectarianism in Islam.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/islamic-unity-realistic-aspects-of-success_b_9622112.html|work=HuffPost|title=Islamic Unity: Realistic Aspects of Success|date=11 April 2016|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605164716/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaikh-m-tawhidi/islamic-unity-realistic-aspects-of-success_b_9622112.html|archive-date=5 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In June 2016, he began Ramadan by visiting an Ahmadiyya mosque and paid his respects to the community.{{cite web|url=https://www.rabwah.net/shia-imam-starts-off-ramadan-by-visiting-ahmadiyya-mosque/|work=Rabwah Times|title=Shia Imam starts off Ramadan by visiting Ahmadiyya Mosque|date=8 June 2016|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911204736/https://www.rabwah.net/shia-imam-starts-off-ramadan-by-visiting-ahmadiyya-mosque/|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In a piece for The Huffington Post, he states that Muslim sects and divisions become irrelevant during serious matters of national safety.|name=|group=}}

Tawhidi maintains a nuanced view about the Bukhari, stating that some of the views, actions, and opinions cited by Bukhari are presented as statements by the prophet, but should only be attributable to the companions of the Prophet or and other individuals. As such, the Corpus of Bukhari can and has been misinterpreted and distorted by Shia and Sunni extremists to justify violence. Tawhidi often highlights controversial fatwas (Islamic legal opinions) issued by certain religious authorities  in order to show how some interpretations of Islamic law can be extreme, nonsensical, or even harmful.

Tawhidi’s political views reflect his rejection of those seeking to corrupt Islam for political gain. Tawhidi is a critic of Islamic terrorism and radicalism, often condemning acts of violence committed in the name of Islam. His statements, however, do not always find support among fellow Muslims, as they often touch on sensitive topics.

Tawhidi supports limiting the building of mosques that promote hate and extremism.{{cite web|date=11 April 2017|title=Welcome to the Weird World of Australia's 'Fake Sheikh', Mohammad Tawhidi|url=http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2017/04/11/4651763.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613164134/http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2017/04/11/4651763.htm|archive-date=13 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://newmatilda.com/2017/03/04/one-path-network-exposes-today-tonights-despicable-anti-muslim-fraud/|publisher=New Matilda|title=One Path Network Exposes Today Tonight's Despicable Anti-Muslim Fraud|date=4 March 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606163638/https://newmatilda.com/2017/03/04/one-path-network-exposes-today-tonights-despicable-anti-muslim-fraud/|archive-date=6 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He maintains that a maligned interpretation of the corpus has been used as an ideological underpinning for terrorism. In this spirit, he advocates for the deportation of radical Islamic leaders (Hizbut Tahrir, ISIS, and others) from Australia.{{cite web|date=19 April 2017|title=Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi demands radical Islamic leaders be deported from Australia|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/35087866/sheikh-mohammad-tawhidi-demands-radical-islamic-leaders-be-deported-from-australia/#page1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712220250/https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/35087866/sheikh-mohammad-tawhidi-demands-radical-islamic-leaders-be-deported-from-australia/#page1|archive-date=12 July 2017|access-date=9 June 2017|publisher=Yahoo! News|df=dmy-all}}

Tawhidi opposes Islamist ideologies, curricula, and institutions that distort the fundamental tenets and texts of Islam to promote extremism. He believes that institutions that govern Halal certification and educate Muslim youth must be led by individuals who respect and promote the peaceful nature of Islam. As such, Tawhidi has claimed that the agencies that controlf halal certification to threaten the Australian way of life.{{cite web |date=22 May 2017 |title='Fake' Sheikh of shock |url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4672973.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623000110/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4672973.htm |archive-date=23 June 2017 |access-date=12 June 2017 |publisher=Media Watch |df=dmy-all}}

Tawhidi was and remains very supportive of the establishment of new Islamic schools with peace based curricula and Halal certification by moderate Islamic authorities.{{cite web|date=6 April 2017|title=Imam Shaikh Mohammad Tawhidi wants some Muslim schools 'shut down'|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/imam-shaikh-mohammad-tawhidi-wants-some-muslim-schools-shut-down/news-story/ef6292c23f758367117f40bdcd9f4cd1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605121942/http://www.news.com.au/national/imam-shaikh-mohammad-tawhidi-wants-some-muslim-schools-shut-down/news-story/ef6292c23f758367117f40bdcd9f4cd1|archive-date=5 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|publisher=News.com.au|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/muslim-leaders-clash-in-fiery-debate-on-sunrise/news-story/6b12d1ea61b82dca878d702e2fcba7e9|publisher=News.com.au|title=Muslim leaders clash in fiery debate on Sunrise|date=26 May 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607094637/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/muslim-leaders-clash-in-fiery-debate-on-sunrise/news-story/6b12d1ea61b82dca878d702e2fcba7e9|archive-date=7 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Tawhidi claimed that after presenting these ideas, he received threats from ISIS operatives in Australia, and that his car was vandalized, with “ISIS” cut into the side of the vehicle and the seats slashed. He was escorted to a safe house by the Police,{{Cite news |title=Muslim schools 'a problem' and should be shut down, community leader says |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/imam-shaikh-mohammad-tawhidi-wants-some-muslim-schools-shut-down/news-story/ef6292c23f758367117f40bdcd9f4cd1 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240503080934/https://www.news.com.au/national/imam-shaikh-mohammad-tawhidi-wants-some-muslim-schools-shut-down/news-story/ef6292c23f758367117f40bdcd9f4cd1 |archive-date=2024-05-03 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=news |language=en-GB}} for fear of retribution by the Muslim community. However, a police spokesperson told The Australian that "there have been no incidents relating to the removal of a person from a mosque or similar place."

While living in Australia, he advocated for better integration of Muslims into Australian society and encouraged stronger collaboration between Islamic leaders and the government, emphasizing that this is key to fostering positive relations with the Muslim community.

In August 2019, upon India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Tawhidi said that he rejects the knee-jerk and absolute dismissal of India’s claim over Kashmir and believes that it should be jointly governed due to the large Hindu and Muslim populations therein. He advanced the position that Pakistani leader, Imran Khan, should respect the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan since the territory used to belong to India and is therefore diverse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-india-is-older-than-islam-let-alone-pakistan-imam-tawhidi-rejects-pak-s-claim-over-kashmir-2781493|title=India is older than Islam, let alone Pakistan: Imam Tawhidi rejects Pak's claim over Kashmir|date=13 August 2019|website=DNA India}}

While he does not advocate for the expansion of current Israeli territory, he is on the record as stating that the territory claimed by Palestine along with Lebanon, Jordan, Northern Egypt, Syria and Jewish land as established by the Quran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcvmOkMNfxU|title=Imam Tawhidi speaks about Jews and Palestine|date=27 March 2018|website=YouTube}}{{Cite web|date=2017-09-23|title=Why I Believe Palestine is Jewish land|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-i-believe-palestine-is-jewish-land_b_59c5d276e4b0f2df5e83ae6d|access-date=2022-01-10|website=HuffPost|language=en}}

Tawhidi's views have sparked both support and criticism, with some praising his efforts to promote dialogue and reform, while others accuse him of misrepresenting Islam. He continues to advocate for a peaceful and cooperative understanding of the religion.

In March 2016, Tawhidi released a statement concerning a man who was released on bail after allegedly grabbing a woman's headscarf on a bus in Adelaide. He warned that intolerance could cause tension and harm the dignity of Australian women, adding that while a man might legally qualify for bail, it might not be the right decision ethically. He also expressed concern that such incidents could lead to negative reactions from the Muslim community, which leaders are working to make more tolerant.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/australian-muslims-violence-if-headscarf-laws-not-changed-imam/7268326|publisher=ABC News|title=SA imam seeks greater tolerance and respect for the wearing of headscarfs|date=23 March 2016|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617034650/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/australian-muslims-violence-if-headscarf-laws-not-changed-imam/7268326|archive-date=17 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/kilburn-man-charged-for-allegedly-grabbing-womans-headscarf-and-intimidating-her-on-bus-into-city/news-story/3b03d964c68addb668002978d8017983|work=The Advertiser|title=Kilburn man charged for allegedly grabbing woman's headscarf and intimidating her on bus into city|date=23 March 2016|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529131052/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/kilburn-man-charged-for-allegedly-grabbing-womans-headscarf-and-intimidating-her-on-bus-into-city/news-story/3b03d964c68addb668002978d8017983|archive-date=29 May 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite news |date=2016-03-22 |title=SA imam seeks greater tolerance of wearing of headscarfs |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/australian-muslims-violence-if-headscarf-laws-not-changed-imam/7268326 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |title='It could get very dirty', Muslim leader warns |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/kilburn-man-charged-for-allegedly-grabbing-womans-headscarf-and-intimidating-her-on-bus-into-city/news-story/3b03d964c68addb668002978d8017983 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231101102845/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/kilburn-man-charged-for-allegedly-grabbing-womans-headscarf-and-intimidating-her-on-bus-into-city/news-story/3b03d964c68addb668002978d8017983 |archive-date=2023-11-01 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=adelaidenow |language=en-GB}} His statement also said that the Australian Government should review its laws on female headscarves was misinterpreted by ABC Australia. While he rejected the idea of compulsory headscarves for women, he advocated for stricter laws that would protect Muslim women and mothers in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/adelaide-imam-shaikh-mohammad-tawhidi-sets-record-straight-on-his-warning-against-violence/news-story/657c3061a81fe90430d883e002d5ee76|work=The Advertiser|title=Adelaide Imam Shaikh Mohammad Tawhidi sets record straight on his warning against violence|date=30 March 2016|access-date=17 June 2017}} Tawhidi said that the consistent misinterpretation of his statements and positions by local media outlets inspired him to found the "Imams for Peace" organization.

Later in 2016, he attended the World Alliance of Religions for Peace (WARP) Summit in South Korea, hosted by Lee Man-hee.{{cite web|url=http://www.muntingnayon.com/page/104900/index.php|publisher=Munting Nayon|title=HWPL Interfaith Dialogue bridged Multiculturalism and Harmony|date=24 November 2016|access-date=17 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911205220/http://www.muntingnayon.com/page/104900/index.php|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The WARP Summit coincided with the birthday of Lee Man-hee. Tawhidi was supportive of the event and was quoted as saying "this WARP Summit is an event blessed by God because it is every religious person's wish to achieve peace through an alliance into one religion."

In February 2017, Tawhidi caused controversy when he appeared on an episode of Australian current affairs program Today Tonight. During the episode, he suggested that Islamic extremists were conspiring to set up a caliphate in Australia by buying plots of land and naming them after prominent ISIS extremists.{{Cite news |date=2018-08-17 |title=Islamic leader accused of illegal land clearing says his group is exempt from Australian law |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-18/islamic-leader-accused-of-land-clearing-claims-exempt-from-law/10133930 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |date=2018-12-17 |title=Fringe Islamic group stripped of charity status after illegal land clearing |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-17/diwan-al-dawla-charity-status-revoked/10626908 |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} He also made claims that these extremists planned to increase the Islamist population in Australia and rename streets after Islamic terrorists. Tawhidi called for a government body to be established in order to investigate Hizb ut-Tahrir involvement with these land development projects and activities.

In the same month, Tawhidi made a request to defend former Jakarta Governor Ahok during his blasphemy trial. He argued that the aggrieved Islamic groups had incorrectly interpreted the verse of the Quran that Ahok had allegedly referenced in a blasphemous manner. Tawhidi stated that there is nothing wrong with non-Muslims leading a Muslim-majority country. Tawhidi said he has received death threats from Indonesia's Islamic Defenders Front, which had criticized his October 2015 visit to the country after he was considered to have insulted the Sunni-majority nation by calling it "Indoneshia".{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=id&u=http://www.bbc.com/indonesia/trensosial-39000891&prev=search|publisher=BBC Indonesia|title=The offer of Australian Imam Shaikh M Tawhidi to defend Ahok was coldly welcomed [Translated from Indonesian]|date=17 February 2017|access-date=13 June 2017}}

Nonetheless, Imam Tawhidi visited Indonesia again in November 2016. An Indonesian Islamic organisation Hidayatullah described Tawhidi as "an extreme Shia."{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=id&u=http://www.hidayatullah.com/berita/nasional/read/2015/10/01/79736/tokoh-syiah-australia-jakarta-ini-jawaban-mui.html&prev=search|publisher=Hidayatullah|title=The Shia Australians will be in Jakarta, this is the Answers of the MUI Law Commission [Translated from Indonesian]|date=1 October 2015|access-date=17 June 2017}} Hidayatullah, established in the 1970s, is a self-described Islamic movement with no connection to Shaykh Syarif Hidayatullah (Sunan Gunungdjati), a founding figure of Islam in Indonesia.

A statement from DPP ABI, an Indonesian Shia organisation, said Tawhidi was suspected of being a "takfiri" and they rejected his presence in Indonesia.{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=id&u=http://id.abna24.com/service/indonesia/archive/2015/09/30/713041/story.html&prev=search|publisher=ABNA Indonesia|title=Rejected by ABI and IJABI, Intolerant Shia Characters Cancel to Indonesia [Translated from Indonesian]|date=30 September 2015|access-date=17 June 2017}} The statement went on to say that Tawhidi's presence would undermine efforts to "achieve unity of the Muslims in the face of Zionism."

In May 2017, Tawhidi appeared as a guest on Australian breakfast television program Sunrise to discuss the recent Manchester Arena bombing. He claimed many young Muslims were being pushed to believe killing infidels would allow them to gain paradise and that the Manchester bomber would have believed he would go to heaven for what he did. During the interview Tawhidi  also lamented the fact that few Islamic clerics and community leaders speaks out against Islamic extremism and terrorism.

In general, Tawhidi advocates for greater civic engagement from Muslims, whom he sees as an integral part of the communities they live in.

He is also a fan of Indian actress Raveena Tandon; some of his tweets about her were compiled in a viral Twitter thread in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/die-hard-raveena-tandon-fan-imam-tawhidi-slid-into-her-dms-internet-cannot-keep-calm-1455844-2019-02-14|title=Die-hard Raveena Tandon fan Imam Tawhidi slid into her DMs. Internet cannot keep calm|work=India Today}}

In 2019 he was the first Shia Imam to "pay respects" at Auschwitz concentration camp.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Imam-of-Peace-visits-Auschwitz-579562|title=Imam of Peace visits Auschwitz|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|date=3 February 2019 |access-date=2020-01-19}}

Some Muslims find his public rhetoric divisive, claiming it alienates ordinary believers and exacerbates existing tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Tawhidi’s frequent appearances in Western media, where he often harshly criticizes some mainstream Islamic practices, have led some to label him as a tool for perpetuating Islamophobia.

Tawhidi's statements and media presence have led to intense online attacks on his character and legitimacy, with groups and forums labeling him an extremist, infidel, or apostate.  A 2017 report by ABC News noted that Tawhidi had very few supporters in the Muslim community.

Tawhidi has been embraced by a number of Western far-right{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/had-i-not-been-there-i-wouldnt-have-met-rudy-the-tale-of-the-arabian-princess-and-the-trump-international-hotel/2019/10/18/71502292-eee1-11e9-b2da-606ba1ef30e3_story.html|title='Had I not been there, I wouldn't have met Rudy': The tale of the Arabian princess and the Trump International Hotel|last1=Bennett|first1=Dalton|last2=Reinhard|first2=Beth|date=19 October 2019|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2019-12-21|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh}} and Islamophobic groups.{{Cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/06/25/mohamad-tawhidi-far-right/|title=How a Fringe Muslim Cleric From Australia Became a Hero to America's Far Right|last=Mackey|first=Robert|date=2019-06-25|website=The Intercept|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/10/18/news/why-are-conservatives-hanging-out-fringe-muslim-cleric-dubious-credentials|title=Why are Conservatives hanging out with a fringe Muslim cleric with dubious credentials?|last1=News|first1=Emma McIntosh in|last2=October 18th 2019|first2=Politics {{!}}|date=2019-10-18|website=National Observer|language=en|access-date=2019-12-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://herald.report/the-imam-of-peace-exposed/|title=The 'Imam of Peace' Exposed|last=Saeed|first=Abdullah|date=2019-05-14|website=The Herald Report|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-21}} Tawhidi has been accused of being an ally of Australian far-right groups including the Australian Liberty Alliance as well as One Nation. Tawhidi had defended One Nation leader Pauline Hanson{{cite web|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/federal/2017/04/30/imam-calls-for-a-focus-on-radicalisation.html|publisher=Sky News Australia|title=Imam calls for a focus on radicalisation|date=30 April 2017|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505200510/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/federal/2017/04/30/imam-calls-for-a-focus-on-radicalisation.html|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and supported her stances on a temporary travel ban on individuals from the Middle East during periods of intense ISIS recruitment and escalating Islamist attacks in the UK.{{cite web |date=5 June 2017 |title='Stop Muslims coming from Middle East': Australian imam supports Hanson's call for immigration bans |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/35757467/london-attack-australian-muslim-agrees-with-immigration-bans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605092927/https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/35757467/london-attack-australian-muslim-agrees-with-immigration-bans/ |archive-date=5 June 2017 |access-date=13 June 2017 |publisher=Yahoo! News |df=dmy-all}}

On November 4, 2022, the Supreme Court of Victoria ordered Tawhidi to pay $20,000 in aggravated damages for making defamatory claims on Twitter that a man named Moustafa Awad was an "ISIS Promoter." The defamatory claims included an imputation that Awad used his position as a lawyer and migration agent to bring terrorists into the country.{{cite web | url=https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2022/669.html?context=1;query=tawhidi%20awad;mask_path= | title=Tawhidi v Awad }} The incident began with Awad's social media comments, including, "I hope he spares a hero the trouble and takes his own life," and suggesting legislation should include "poisoning that c*** Tawhidi." In response, Tawhidi called on his followers to "report" Awad as an "extremist" and publicly shared Awad's contact details and business profiles.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-04 |title=Imam to pay up over defamatory statements |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/imam-pay-over-defamatory-statements-065812611.html |access-date=2025-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104071144/https://au.news.yahoo.com/imam-pay-over-defamatory-statements-065812611.html |archive-date=4 November 2022 }}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.tawhidi.com/}}
• [https://twitter.com/Imamofpeace @Imamofpeace]  Twitter

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tawhidi, Mohammad}}

Category:Year of birth uncertain

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century imams

Category:Australian imams

Category:Australian people of Iraqi descent

Category:Australian Shia Muslims

Category:Critics of Sunni Islam

Category:Iranian emigrants to Australia

Category:Muslim reformers

Category:Muslim supporters of Israel

Category:Iranian people of Iraqi descent

Category:Critics of Wahhabism

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)