Islamic Research and Educational Academy
| Headquarters | Hoppers Crossing, Victoria |
|---|---|
| Leader | Waseem Razvi |
| Affiliations | Sunni |
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The Islamic Research and Educational Academy (IREA) is an independent Islamic dawah organisation based in Hoppers Crossing, Victoria. It is Sunni-based and says, "We use religion to unite, where others may seek to use it to divide". It is led by Waseem Razvi.
Waseem Razvi was born and brought up in Saudi Arabia by parents of Indian origin. In 2004, he moved to Australia for higher studies. He obtained a master's degree in information systems from the Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2007. He quit from his job in 2010 to engage fully in Dawah works.
Razvi has been quoted as describing Australia, "As the largest multicultural country in the world, Australia accommodates people from around 200 nationalities. It is an open migrant country that embraces people of all cultures and religions with open hands and hearts" and that "Australian society gives followers of different faiths every opportunity to propagate their religion peacefully." "I am delivering sermons in certain churches in which I try to present the true picture of Islam as well as to remove misgivings, with a focus on major similarities and commonalities of Islam and Christianity.”[1]
Waseem Razvi has met with Egyptian Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Qatar. The sheikh, who is wanted by Interpol, has said he supports IREA's dawah.[2]
IREA runs Australian Islamic Peace Conferences (AIPC). However, some speakers, including Saudi cleric Abdul Rahman al-Sudays, who were advertised for the 2013 conference[3] were unable to attend as they were denied visas to enter Australia.[4] The ABC News reported it as a, "controversial event".[5]
Razvi has travelled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to raise funds and to lecture.[6] He said in Saudi Arabia that there is a group in Australia, Q Society , founded by Christian and Jewish zealots, with the slogan, 'Muslims should be kicked out of Australia.'[1]
One of IREA's conferences was banned by the Melbourne University because it required gender segregation of the audience.[7][8]
Razvi has described in his own words the three main goals of the 'Australian Islamic Peace Conferences' was to, "achieving unity among Muslims, build bridges of understanding between Muslims and Australian community, and open a door of communications for Muslims with the authorities. Organization of AIPC was a culmination of my endeavors to achieve these goals and it was a very successful one." [1]
At the 2015 conference, a young boy impersonated Islamic tele-evangelist Zakir Naik (Razvi's role model)[1] who is banned in Britain[9] and the conference keynote speaker Hussein Yee has implied that the Jews were behind the 2001 World Trade Centre attack.[10]
See also
- Islam in Australia
- Islamic organisations in Australia
- Islamic schools and branches
- Islamic Research Foundation
References
- 1 2 3 4 Cheruppa, Hassan (11 September 2013). "Young preacher lauds Australia's strength to embrace all faiths". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ↑ Bucci, Nino (25 March 2015). "Melbourne Islamic conference organiser Waseem Razvi met notorious sheikh". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Boy, 5, to headline Islamic 'peace conference'". News Ltd. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ Baxendale, Rachel (26 March 2015). "Islam forum speakers shrouded in secrecy". The Australian. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Hate preachers in Australia uncovered after fiery Lateline interview". ABC News. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
- ↑ Baxendale, Rachel (30 September 2014). "School funding to pay for radical Muslim preachers". The Australian. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ↑ Baxendale, Rachel (26 April 2013). "Academic calls for end to 'ritualised humiliation'". The Australian. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ Baxendale, Rachel (13 May 2013). "Melbourne Uni cancels 'inter-faith' event by Islamic Research and Educational Academy". The Australian. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Jews were behind 9/11 attack, implies Malaysian preacher". Free Malaysia Today. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ Baxendale, Rachel (28 March 2015). "Islamic conference keynote speaker says September 11 not unjust". The Australian. Retrieved 1 April 2015.