Q Society of Australia
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TheQ Society of AustraliaInc. was afar-right,anti-Islamandhomophobicorganisation that opposed Muslim immigration and the presence ofMuslimsinAustraliansociety.[1][2]Q Society described itself as "Australia's leading Islam-critical organisation"[3]and stated that its purpose was to fight against the "Islamisation of Australia".[4]The Q Society was so named because it was founded at a meeting in theMelbournesuburb ofKewin 2010.[5]
The president of the Q Society was Debbie Robinson, who was also president ofYellow Vest Australia(which until 9 April 2019 was known as the Australian Liberty Alliance)[6]and anunsuccessful Senate candidatefor the party forWestern Australiaat the2019 Australian federal election.She has been described as Australia's most established and high profile member of thecounter-jihadmovement.[7]
On 13 February 2020, the Q Society stated that it would deregister itself due to a considerable lack of financial support, being unable to cover basic administration costs, effective from 30 June 2020.[8][9]
History
[edit]Symposium on Liberty and Islam
[edit]In March 2014, the Q Society held a Symposium on Liberty and Islam in Melbourne. Speakers at the event includedNonie Darwish,an Egyptian-American human rights activist who was raised as a Muslim, and is director of Former Muslims United, an organisation set up to protect former Muslims from persecution.Geert Wildersappeared via video link criticising "politicians who don't share our values and foolishly declare all cultures are equal". Wilders was referring to Islam, suggesting that Muslim cultures are inferior to non-Muslim cultures. As with a previous visit by Wilders in 2013, a number of Australian newspapers refused to publish advertisements for the event.[10][2]
Bendigo mosque protests
[edit]In 2014, the Q Society provided information and training to a number of groups involved in the Voices of Bendigo andStop the Mosques Bendigo protests.The protests were held to oppose construction of aA$3-millionmosqueand Islamic community centre in the rural Victorian centre ofBendigo.[11]The information and training was given to a number of groups, including a number offar-rightandneo-Nazigroups including the militantwhite nationaliststreet gangAustralian Defence League,the neo-NaziTrue Blue Crewand theUnited Patriots Front.[12]
Opponents of the mosque displayed anti-mosque information produced by Q Society at a meeting of theBendigo City Council.[13]During council meetings Q Society members distributed pamphlets that made numerous claims about mosques that included statements such as "A mosque is not like a church or a temple" and "[mosques] are a seat of government, a command centre, a court, and in some cases used as military training centres and arms depots".[14]
El-Mouelhy defamation case
[edit]In 2015, Mohammed El-Mouelhy, the head of the Halal Certification Authority, commenced defamation proceedings against the Q Society and Kirralie Smith, who also runs the website HalalChoices, over their claims at a Q Society event that thehalal certification in Australiais corrupt and funds "the push forsharia lawin Australia ", claiming that El-Mouelhy was portrayed as" part of a conspiracy to destroy Western civilisation from within "and" reasonably suspected of providing financial support to terrorist organisations ". El-Mouelhy claimed he has been defamed in relation to the proceeds ofhalalcertification.[15]
In February 2017, the case was settled out of court, and as part of the settlement agreement, Smith and the Q Society publicly apologised and agreed to display notice of the settlement on their respective websites for one year.[16][17][18]
In response to the claims made by Smith and HalalChoices, officials from theAustralian Criminal Intelligence Commissionstated that the commission has been on "heightened lookout" for links between halal certifiers and terrorism since the issue surfaced last year, but has "not found any direct linkages". ASenateinquiry into food certification asserted that there was "no link" between the religious approval process and extremist groups.[19]It recommended that thefederal governmentincrease its oversight of domestic halal certifiers to address fraudulent conduct in the sector.[20]It said that it had heard, "credible reports suggesting that the lack of regulation has been unscrupulously exploited". In tabling the report, committee chairmanSam Dastyarisaid, "Some certifiers are nothing more than scammers".[21]The committee recommended a single halal certification authority.[21]The committee in recommending clearer labelling, specifically referred to the need for meat processors to label products sourced from animals subject to religious slaughter.[22]
2017 fundraiser
[edit]On 9 February 2017, the Q Society held a fundraising dinner, which they described as Defending Freedom of Speech, that drew widespread criticism afterIslamophobiaandhomophobiawere documented. For example, guest speakerLarry Pickeringstated "If they (Muslims) are in the same street as me, I start shaking" and "They are not all bad, they do chuckpillow-bitersoff buildings "adding" I can't stand Muslims ". The cartoonist also auctioned an overtly Islamophobic work depicting the rape of a woman in aniqabby her son-in-law. Another Pickering cartoon auctioned at the fundraiser depicted animamas a pig being spit roasted, with a "halal certified"stamp on its rump. A case of wine called"72 Virgins"was auctioned, as well a signed photograph ofDame Joan Sutherland.Kirralie Smithdenied supporting Pickering's statements; however she reiterated parts of the speech stating that "there are Muslims that actually do throw gays off buildings!". PoliticiansCory BernardiandGeorge Christensenattracted criticism for speaking at the event, which also drew protests for being racist.[23]Ross Cameronalso spoke as a VIP member at the fundraiser.[24][25]
Guests and lecture tours
[edit]The group brought a number of controversial speakers to Australia, including Somali-born ex-Muslim activistAyaan Hirsi Ali,UK planning lawyer and anti-mosque campaignerGavin Boby,Sudanese human rights activistSimon Dengand far-right, anti-Islam Dutch politicianGeert Wilders.[26][27]
The Australian government initially delayed the issue of a visa for Wilders. However, the then Minister for Immigration and Citizenship,Chris Bowen,eventually granted the visa. The tour was overshadowed by a total of 30 venues refusing or cancelling bookings.[28]
Former Premier of Western Australia,Colin Barnett,stated that Wilders was not welcome in his State. Islamic leaders inSydneyand Melbourne recommended that these talks be ignored, so as to avoid or minimise the possibility of violent protests. An estimated 200 protestors picketed the Melbourne event.[29]
Commentary and criticism
[edit]Critics of Q Society suggest the organisation is responsible for hate-mongering against Muslims,[30]describing Q Society as a modern example of "organised intolerance".[31]
In 2011, Q Society circulated a petition objecting to a Muslim prayer group inSt Kilda,a suburb of Melbourne. Several Jewish community leaders in Melbourne opposed the petition. Deborah Stone of the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), which actively counters prejudice against Jews (including from fundamentalist Muslims) stated that the fears of the Q Society were greatly exaggerated: "Assuming Muslims are terrorists is the same as expecting that Italians running a restaurant will be using it as aMafiahideout, or that the local Catholic school is sheltering apaedophilepriest ". ThePort Phillip councilstrongly supported social diversity andmulticulturalism,and the Muslim prayer group had not caused concern until the Q Society intervened.[32]
In 2014, following the group's involvement in the Voices of Bendigo and Stop the Mosques Bendigo protests, State MPJacinta Allandescribed the group's actions as an attempt to divide the community, stating that "Bendigo has a proud history of tolerance and diversity dating back to the gold rush era, and we'll work hard to preserve and build upon it".[11]
Political affiliations
[edit]Several prominent members and supporters of Q Society are current or former members of theLiberal–National CoalitionincludingCory Bernardi,George Christensen,Angry AndersonandRoss Cameron.[33]Bernardi and Christensen were criticised for speaking at the Q Society fundraising event in February 2017, an event which protesters called racist.[23]In 2012 the organisation took part in a "Global Counter Jihad rally" inStockholmalong with several international organisations, includingStop Islamization of Nations(SION), and again inMelbournein 2014.[34]
Kirralie Smith and Debbie Robinson, both members of the Q Society, were founding members of the far-right political partyAustralian Liberty Alliance(now calledYellow Vest Australia). Smith was an ALA Senate candidate forNew South Walesat the2016 federal election.[35]At that election the party also endorsed formerNational PartycandidateAngry Andersonas its candidate for the Senate representing New South Wales.[36][37]On 7 April 2017, Smith, still a member of the Q Society, joined theAustralian Conservatives.[38][39]
Robinson continued to be the president of Yellow Vest Australia,[40]and was that party's Senate candidate for Western Australia at the2019 federal election.
See also
[edit]- Far-right politics in Australia
- Islamophobia in Australia
- Counter-jihad
- Criticism of Islam
- Yellow Vest Australia
References
[edit]- ^"Inside the far-right Q Society's explosive dinner, where Muslims are fair game".The Age.10 February 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 17 September 2017.Retrieved10 February2017.
- ^ab"The Australian Liberty Alliance and the politics of Islamophobia".theconversation. 12 March 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2017.Retrieved10 February2017.
- ^"Q Society of Australia Inc – Australia's Leading Islam-critical Organisation".qsociety.org.au. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2017.Retrieved10 February2017.
- ^"Mysterious society steps out of the shadows for its big moment".news.au. 8 January 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2017.Retrieved10 February2017.
- ^Piotrowski, Daniel (26 June 2014)."Revealed: The secretive Q Society's battle against Islam".news.au.News Limited.Archivedfrom the original on 25 May 2018.Retrieved2 June2018.
- ^"Australian Liberty Alliance: Geert Wilders unveils Senate candidates amid warnings over 'blatant racism'".Australia:ABC News.22 October 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 20 May 2016.Retrieved21 May2016.
- ^McSwiney, Jordan (2024).Far-Right Political Parties in Australia: Disorganisation and Electoral Failure.Taylor & Francis.ISBN9781003848929.Archivedfrom the original on 21 March 2024.Retrieved21 March2024.
- ^Maley, Jacqueline (13 February 2020)."Anti-Islam group Q Society deregisters, fearing lawsuits under religious freedom legislation".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 14 February 2020.Retrieved15 February2020.
- ^"Australia's Premier Islam-critical Organisation".Q Society of Australia Inc.Archived fromthe originalon 3 October 2020.Retrieved3 October2020.
- ^James Langton (12 May 2007)."Life as an infidel".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 22 August 2023.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^abPatrick, Hatch."Q Society spreading anti-mosque message in Bendigo".The Age.Archivedfrom the original on 4 September 2014.Retrieved27 August2014.
- ^"Social Cohesion In Bendigo"(PDF).Victorian Multicultural Commission.Victorian Government.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 March 2020.Retrieved30 March2019.
- ^"Rural mosques – Bush Telegraph – ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)".Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 June 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2017.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^"Far-right group spreading anti-mosque message in Bendigo".theage. 23 June 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 4 February 2017.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^Safi, Michael (11 February 2015)."Anti-halal campaigner sued over claims Islamic certification supports terrorism".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2019.Retrieved28 January2017.
- ^NSW (27 February 2017)."Halal certification defamation case against Kirralie Smith settled out of court".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 26 October 2017.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^Ben Doherty (28 February 2017)."Halal certifier's defamation case against Kirralie Smith and Q Society settled out of court | Australia news".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 24 November 2018.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^"El-Mouehly v Q Society & Ors - Supreme Court Defamation Proceedings No. 20141377391"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 March 2017.Retrieved19 December2023.
- ^Safi, Michael (24 February 2015)."No 'direct linkages' between halal certifiers and terrorism, inquiry hears".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 9 December 2018.Retrieved12 February2017.
- ^Medhora, Shalailah (1 December 2015)."Overhaul 'lacklustre' halal certification to root out exploitation, report says".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 29 September 2018.Retrieved1 December2015.
- ^abAston, Heath (2 December 2015)."'Nothing more than scammers': Senate committee calls for halal overhaul ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 13 August 2016.Retrieved2 December2015.
- ^"Australian Senate Committee Inquiry Recommendations".APH.1 December 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2015.Retrieved2 December2015.
- ^ab"Anti-Islam group Q Society dinner disrupted by protesters in Melbourne – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)".Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 February 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 19 July 2018.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^"Inside the far-right Q Society's explosive dinner, where Muslims are fair game".The Age.10 February 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 17 September 2017.Retrieved10 February2017.
- ^Corporate or institutional Author (11 February 2017)."I do not incite hate speech I expose it".Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2017.Retrieved11 February2017.
- ^Riman, Iman (22 March 2017)."Muslim women protest Australian visit of anti-Islam activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali | SBS Your Language".Sbs.au.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2017.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^Michael Safi (23 June 2014)."UK 'mosque-buster' advising Bendigo residents opposed to Islamic centre".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2017.Retrieved30 March2017.
- ^"Doors Slamming on Anti Islam MP".The Australian.Archivedfrom the original on 19 February 2013.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^Fitzsimmons, Hamish (19 February 2013)."Clashes erupt outside Wilders' Melbourne speech".Lateline, ABC.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2014.Retrieved25 January2014.
- ^"Drawing the line at the Q Society".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^"The Rise of Organised Intolerance".New Matilda. 9 March 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 19 April 2016.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^"Fear, intolerance and a Muslim prayer group".The Age.5 March 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 30 March 2019.Retrieved15 January2016.
- ^"Events and Meetings".qsociety.org.au. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2017.Retrieved11 February2017.
- ^"International counter-jihad organisations".Hope not hate.11 January 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2022.Retrieved25 October2022.
- ^Corporate or institutional Author."About Kirralie Smith".Archivedfrom the original on 6 July 2022.Retrieved11 February2017.
- ^Boult, Adam (9 May 2016)."Anderson is now candidate for anti-Islamic political party".The Daily Telegraph.England.Archivedfrom the original on 17 June 2016.Retrieved4 June2016.
- ^McCabe, Kathy (6 May 2016)."Angry Anderson joins anti-Islam party to chase a Senate seat at the Federal election".Australia: news.au.Archivedfrom the original on 9 June 2016.Retrieved4 June2016.
- ^Federal Politics (8 April 2017)."Anti-halal leader Kirralie Smith joins Cory Bernardi's Australian Conservatives".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 9 April 2017.Retrieved25 April2017.
- ^"Kirralie Smith joins Australian Conservatives".Australian Conservatives. 7 April 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2021.Retrieved25 April2017.
- ^Corporate or institutional Author."About Us".Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2021.Retrieved11 February2017.
External links
[edit]- Official websiteArchived2 March 2013 at theWayback Machine
- Q Society of Australia YouTube