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‘Take responsibility.’ Waleed Aly challenges stance by Mallah.

“Your intervention has made this about you," Waleed Aly tells Zaky Mallah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S28ww_8FEtE

Controversial Q & A audience member Zaky Mallah was questioned on his stance last night on The Project, with Waleed Aly telling him he was not taking responsibility for his comments.

But Mallah, who said he did not advocate Australians joining ISIL, remained firm on his criticism of the government’s proposed changes to citizenship.

Asked if his statements on the ABC could be construed as a call to arms, he continued to blame the Abbott government.

But co-host Waleed Aly addressed his answer, saying, “Fifi asked you a question about what you said and the way it was interpreted and your response was to talk about how bad the Government was.

“It seems to me you’ve completely misread what’s happened today. No-one is actually having a conversation about the Government and whether or not citizenship changes are a threat to the rule of law. That conversation incidentally was actually already underway. Your intervention completely blew it off the rails,” he continued.

“Your intervention has made this about you and about radicalisation in the Muslim community and about the fact that words such as yours drive people toward that radicalisation. A conversation that you it seems don’t even want to have now, having started it.

“So I wonder if you’re aware that it seems you’re doing a lot more damage here than you are help?”

“That’s incorrect,” Mallah responded. “Australia champions freedom of speech. And I definitely had my say last night. And I expressed my views in the best way I did and the best way I could. Maybe the tone of voice was a bit harsh. But I stand by my words.”

11 Responses

  1. I have been a long term fan of the project…even though I do get a bit sick and tired of the “govt needs to do more here”….and “govt needs to more there” (It is an easy thing for people to constantly say…only so much money in the world guys!!!). Also feel Waleed’s agenda against the government every week gets a bit much after a while….and sometimes he needs to balance his views a bit more…..but must congratulate him on his interview last night. He pushed and pushed and pushed…..which too many journos do not do when questions are not answered in an interview. Would still love so see more Steve Price Vs Waleed debate/discussions on many social topics…..its all about the balance.

  2. While Mallah doesn’t appear to understand the import of his outburst on Q&A he’s no worse than just about any politician in avoiding answering the question and continually repeating his statement of position as if it was a magic spell that would protect him from attack.

    However, his concern that the govt’s stance on ex-judicial removal of citizenship might actually drive more young Muslims toward radicalisation is valid, even if he didn’t express it particularly well.

    Waleed continues to impress.

    1. Really as bad as a politician? One wants terror attack the other is looking after our country. No where near the same. I think he should be locked up, or kicked out of our country. U can have free speech but when ur wanting our country to be destroyed uve gone to far

      1. “I think he should be locked up, or kicked out of our country.”

        Me too. Publicly arguing against the Westminster system’s separation of powers, the Magna Carta / Pope Innocent III / Edward Coke right to a hearing of law, and advocating for the stripping of internationally-agreed basic human rights, is treason as far as I’m concerned.

        Or did you mean the guy who said “those who are considering to join ISIS I hope ASIO is onto you, I hope your passport is refused and I hope you are arrested and locked up”?

      2. I watch neither Q&A nor Project because, like most discussion shows that pretend to be objective, they are anything but. Shame on the ABC for giving this man air time, and shame on the Project for exploiting the moment by giving him even more air time. Shame on the government for not deporting him as soon as he left the Q&A studio.

        1. Which country do you think he should be deported to? He’s an Australian citizen.

          It’s funny how discussion shows that allow views to be expressed that are unpopular with right-whingers are labelled as “the loony left” but whose that either don’t allow alternatives to conservative doctrine to be aired or who only do so so they can shout it down, are apparently ok. I don’t recall the same sentiments being expressed when Fred Nile was on last week making ridiculous and inflammatory comments.

          Freedom of speech means sometimes permitting people to express an opinion with which you disagree. Surmising that the govt’s actions might actually push people to sign up with ISIL isn’t the same as a call to arms in their name, no matter how clumsily expressed.

  3. Mallah obviously lost his temper on Q&A. He was much more subdued on the Project. He does have a point but th e government is in an extremely difficult position trying to deal with terrorism.

  4. Mallah has appeared on numerous TV news and current affairs shows to say controversial things, then to backed away from them and claimed he has been unfairly treated. People don’t just walk into the ABC audience and get several minutes of air time to ask repeated questions. The ABC has people who ring around for days looking for guests and people to ask controversial questions. In this case Zaky Mallah was deliberately given air time to attack and try and embarrass Coalition MPs. A stunt which blew up in the ABC’s face.

    Abbott and co are obviously going to be annoyed and will try to fire up their base by abusing the ABC. However, it was a silly stunt that didn’t work so most people aren’t going to give a damn.

  5. The person within me who believes in free speech and the public discourse of edgy issues thinks this guy’s appearance on both Q&A and The Project was fine, and certainly Waleed made great use of the opportunity to pin him on his stance; but the skeptic in me knows that both shows are hungry for headlines and are pushing boundaries. Maybe that’s what the platforms should be used for. I was impressed with Waleed.

  6. No made it about your show Waleed, cause your Muslim it does not make it right to interview the person it has just inflamed their cause,Mr Abbott can you legislate to stop terrorists being interviewed etc

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