SYDNEY: The Australian government moved quickly on Friday to quash an allegation that the spiritual leader of Australia's Islamic community had been subjected to humiliating and discriminatory treatment by customs officers.
The editor wishes that he could get such prompt service
So it takes a high profile sensitive figure, like this senior Australian Muslim leader, for some attention to be given to the matter.

The man known as Australia's Grand Mufti, Egyptian-born Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali, 62, wrote to Prime Minister John Howard complaining about the incident in which it is alleged he was victimised because of who he is.
No, because he was elderly at 62, and can be more easily humiliated.

The allegation, with its undertones of racial discrimination, has further angered Australia's Islamic community, already concerned about new anti-terrorist legislation it sees as targeting Muslims.
Anti-terrorist legislation empowers the low lives who pray upon the traveling public.

A spokesman for Alhilali, Kayser Trad, said the Mufti had been returning on Monday from a conference in New Zealand attended by many of the region's religious leaders when he was "singled out" for the search that took about 45 minutes.
How can the prime minister, John Howard refer to a 45 minute search as "brief and courteous".

He had cleared customs when, waiting at the baggage carousel with a traveling companion, he was taken by a customs official to have his bags comprehensively searched.
Surely this should read cleared immigration. It is at the baggage carousel that the public are in most danger from the "cheeky chappie".

"They searched their bags thoroughly, bits of paper, everything, and were asked some very probing questions which did not really have any relation to the search," Trad said.
It would be nice to hear more about "everything'. These low lives enjoy underwear, bank accounts, and any personal photos.
It would be nice also to know about the sort of jibes he was subjected to.

"It's just strange that he would be asked such probing questions after such a conference. They asked him about the conference itself, who attended it, when the next one will be, and who will be attending that; I mean what relevance is that?
By what authority can these people ask such questions.

"If they had a security concern these are the types of questions ASIO would ask, not customs officers," he said, referring to Australian domestic intelligence service. Trad said there was a feeling of victimisation as a result of the search.
These people are not intelligent enough to be members of the ASIO, but they would like to be.

Trad said the Mufti does not object to being searched. "But the manner in which this particular search was conducted, and the probing questions, left him with a feeling of discrimination and victimisation," he said.
You and me both brother. Unless and until you have the experience you cannot know what these people are capable of.
The psychological techniques employed go way beyond traditional customs activities.
They are closer to the techniques of a torturer, but without the violence, such that the victim becomes worthless in his own eyes.
Trauma stress counseling can help, but the victim will probably have to pay for it himself.

He had made no complaint to customs, but has instead written to Howard asking for clarification as to whether the officer was acting under direction. That is a good procedure, but of course he does not really care and will deny everything.

Howard said he had been informed Customs conducted a brief and courteous search of Alhilali's luggage, which was properly based and done in accordance with procedures.
sop standard operating procedure. That can excuse anything. The search was neither brief nor courteous.

He said any suggestion people were singled out for different treatment because of the way they looked, or what organisation they headed would not be acceptable. "But I have to say in vigorous defence of Customs, there is no evidence yet to me that that happened," he said.
This is a clear lie.

"Equally because you happen to hold a prominent position that is not a reason why you should not be subjected to the same procedures as the rest of the Australian public," the Australian premier added.
No no Mr Howard. The correct rhetoric is that which was referred to the police and not customs:-
"People living in remote areas should not expect to be visited any less by the police".
Isn't that what you meant to say?