{{Short description|Islamic organization based in Australia}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox organization | name = Australian National Imams Council | formation = {{start date and age|2006|11|14}} | registration_id = (ABN) 66 122 669 318<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abr.business.gov.au/|title= Australian National Imams Council|date=November 1, 2014|website=abr.business.gov.au}}</ref> | purpose = To unite the Imams of Australia under one umbrella body | headquarters = Lakemba, New South Wales | coordinates = {{coord|-33.922514|151.078617|display=inline, title}} | products = ANIC Halal Authority<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anic.org.au/anic-halal-authority |title=ANIC Halal Authority |access-date=2017-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312033423/http://www.anic.org.au/anic-halal-authority |archive-date=2017-03-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | membership = 200 Imams | region_served = Australia | leader_title = President | leader_name = Shady Alsuleiman | affiliations = Sunni based | website = {{URL|http://www.anic.org.au/}} }} {{Sunni Islam |width=50.0em|collapse}} The '''Australian National Imams Council''' ('''ANIC''') is a Muslim body that represents imams and Muslims in Australia, with over 200 member imams from all states and territories and major Australian cities. It is one of two Australian Muslim organisations that appoint a Grand Mufti of Australia, the other being the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC).
==Foundation== Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) was created in 2006 after more than 80 Sunni imams met to respond to a crisis caused by comments made by Taj El-Din Hilaly.<ref name=Duffy>{{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Conor|title=Reclaim the Streets rally protests Hilali comments|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1775716.htm|newspaper=ABC|date=28 October 2006}}</ref><ref name=Rane>{{cite book|last=Rane|first=Halim|title=Islam and the Australian News Media|year=2010|publisher=Melbourne University Press|isbn=978-0522856408|author2=Jacqui Ewart |author3=Mohamad Osman imran dushbag |page=46}}</ref>
==Overview== The Australian National Imams Council is a Muslim body that represents imams and Muslims in Australia, with over 200 member imams from all states and territories and major Australian cities.{{cn|date=February 2026}}
===Grand Mufti=== The ANIC is one of two Australian Muslim organisations that appoint a Grand Mufti of Australia. In 2011 Ibrahim Abu Mohamed was appointed Grand Mufti by ANIC.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kilani|first1=Ahmed|title=Australian Imams appoint a new Mufti|url=http://muslimvillage.com/2011/09/19/14728/australian-imams-appoint-a-new-mufti/|accessdate=15 February 2015|work=muslimvillage.com|date=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McNamara |first1=Paul |title=New grand mufti for Australia |url=http://www.theislamicglobe.com/index.php/article/902-new-grand-mufti-for-australia |accessdate=15 February 2015 |work=The Islamic Globe |date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215162247/http://www.theislamicglobe.com/index.php/article/902-new-grand-mufti-for-australia |archivedate=15 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.albawabhnews.com/3952339|title=مجلس الأئمة الفيدرالى الأسترالى.. جذور إخوانية تحت عباءة الدين.. وحزب الحرية فى أستراليا يلفظ الجماعة الإرهابية ويدعو لحظرها|website=البوابة نيوز}}</ref>{{update inline|date=February 2026}}
{{As of|2018}}, the Grand Mufti of Australia appointed by Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) is Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari. There has been controversy about the appointment of two Muftis in Australia, and despite the mostly symbolic and ceremonial nature of the position, ANIC has fought hard to prevent anyone else from claiming to represent Australian Muslims as a Mufti.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/03/22/australian-muslims-try-to-get-on-with-their-lives/ | title=What the nomination of the new Grand Mufti of Australia means for Australian Muslims | date=22 March 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muslim Factions Warring Over Hilaly's Naming as Grand Mufti (subscription required) |url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/national/muslim-factions-warring-over-hilalys-naming-as-grand-mufti/news-story/cdcc11173d489bdc21e3ce2c5dd6a78d |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Controversial Taj Eldin Hilaly Back as Australia's Grand Mufti (subscription required) |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/controversial-taj-eldin-hilaly-back-as-australias-grand-mufti/news-story/3ed7323049886a8589626b6423a95d2f |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amust.com.au/2021/08/anic-wins-case-against-fake-mufti/ | title=ANIC wins case against fake Mufti | date=4 August 2021 }}</ref>
==Views and activities== In 2011, ANIC requested that the Darulfatwa-supported Muslim Community Radio Incorporated not have its licence renewed due to ties with Al-Ahbash and because of its promotion of "sectarian fringe views".<ref name="O'Brien">{{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=Natalie|title=Muslims call for 'radical' radio station to be closed|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/muslims-call-for-radical-radio-station-to-be-closed-20110108-19j9r.html|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=January 9, 2011}}</ref>
In 2014, ANIC expressed concerns regarding a bill in the Australian Parliament that would broaden the offence of advocating terrorism.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|title=Australia's terrorism laws 'could criminalise preaching from Qur'an'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/09/terrorism-laws-criminalise-quran-preaching-muslim|work=The Guardian}}</ref> ANIC argued that the legislation would have chilling effects on free speech.<ref name=guardian/> It also said that any religious community referring to violent passages in the Qur'an or Bible could face sanction under this law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/muslims-warn-antiterror-laws-could-prevent-teaching-from-koran-20141008-1137lj.html |title=Muslims warn anti-terror laws could prevent teaching from Koran |author=Aston, Heath|date=8 October 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2 January 2015}}</ref> Other Australian Muslim groups, including the Islamic Council of Victoria and Muslim Legal Network, also expressed concerns regarding the legislation.<ref name=guardian/>
In February 2015 the Grand Mufti said the Australian Government should not ban Hizb ut-Tahrir, saying the group is "actually pro-freedom of speech".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/26289591/australia-s-grand-mufti-slams-government-ban/|title=Australia's Grand Mufti slams government ban |author=Seymour, Brian|date=13 February 2015|work=Seven News|accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref> The prime minister, Tony Abbott, responded by saying the comments were "unhelpful".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/02/15/abbott-criticises-aust-muslim-leader.html |title=Abbott criticises Aust Muslim leader |date=15 February 2015 |work=Sky News |accessdate=18 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217234610/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/02/15/abbott-criticises-aust-muslim-leader.html |archivedate=17 February 2015 }}</ref>
In early February 2026 ANIC, along with the Jewish Council of Australia and the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, co-signed a submission to the Australian Government requesting to ban Israeli President Isaac Herzog from visiting the country, and a criminal investigation to be set up under the Commonwealth criminal code<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-03 |title=Jewish group seeks to block Isaac Herzog visit to Australia |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-885473 |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/posts/australia-hrf-jewish-council-and-anic-demand-arrest-or-entry-ban-of-israeli-president| title= Australia: HRF, Jewish Council and ANIC Demand Arrest or Entry Ban of Israeli President| date = 30 Jan 2026| website= Hind Rajab Foundation| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20260204233318/https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/posts/australia-hrf-jewish-council-and-anic-demand-arrest-or-entry-ban-of-israeli-president| archive-date = 4 Feb 2026}}</ref> JCA has further stated that the visit from Herzog, who is scheduled to visit the site of the Bondi Beach shooting, is using Jewish pain as a political prop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whiteman |first=Hilary |date=2026-02-08 |title=Israel’s president to mourn antisemitic massacre in Australia, where fury over Gaza still divides |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/07/australia/australia-israel-herzog-visit-intl-hnk |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== *Darulfatwa - Islamic High Council of Australia *Grand Mufti of Australia *Islam in Australia *Islamic organisations in Australia *Islamic schools and branches
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.anic.org.au/ ANIC website]
Category:2006 establishments in Australia Category:Islamic organizations established in 2006 Category:Islamism in Australia Category:Sunni Islamist groups