Muslim Cleric Vows to Continue Preaching the Beliefs of bin Laden

Added by David Sandercock on May 5, 2011

A controversial Sydney-based Muslim cleric says he will continue to preach the beliefs of his “beloved” Osama bin Laden.

Ibrahim Siddiq-Conlon reportedly told A Current Affair that he does not believe in the death of the al-Qaeda founder and leader, who he says he loves, and, as such, he will not join other Muslims in praising his death.

The cleric was approached by the Channel Nine show following the death of bin Laden, but the requested interview did not take place after Siddiq-Conlon had his AUS$5,000 appearance fee rejected.

However, he did tell the channel, in an emailed statement, that he was deeply saddened by the “alleged murder of our beloved (Osama bin Laden)”.

The statement also read: “Other Muslims have been fast to praise his alleged murder which we would of course never do… We follow the Sheikh’s ideology and no other group really supports him.”

Siddiq-Conlon is also seen disputing the death in a video posted on YouTube.

In an interview last year with 60 Minutes, Siddiq-Conlon said he is denouncing democracy and that he is hoping to see Australia become an Islamic state.

Siddiq-Conlon, formerly known as Shannon Conlan, was a Christian up until 1999 when he denounced his faith and turned to Islam.