Islamic leaders must do more to denounce terrorism and direct young people away from extremists, Treasurer Peter Costello said yesterday. In a wide-ranging critique of the failure of Muslim leaders in Australia to speak out against extremism, Mr Costello also backed calls by the Prime Minister for Islamic migrants to learn Australian values.
“This is where we really need the Islamic leadership of this country to stand up and contend unequivocally that terrorism, no matter who it is perpetrated by, is never justified under the cover of religion and to make it clear to would-be converts when you join this religion, you do not join a radical political ideology,” Mr Costello said.