ISLAMIC firebrand Ibrahim Siddiq-Conlon, 35, known as Australia’s answer to the UK fanatic Anjem Choudary, appeared in a Sydney court this week on charges of possessing child pornography and making a hoax terrorist threat against the city’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.



It was just a moment of passion and I didn’t mean it and that’s all.

According to this report , Siddiq-Conlon – a convert to radical Islam – is accused of posting the threat on the Facebook page of the popular 2Day FM radio program The Kyle and Jackie O show.Police also allege he viewed child abuse material on the internet using his laptop computer between July last year and his arrest on the night of the Mardi Gras parade.Siddiq-Conlon has previously come to attention in the media for his outspoken views, particularly his call for Australia to become an Islamic state ruled by sharia law.He faced Burwood Local Court and was granted bail to re-appear on May 8.Speaking to reporters outside the court, Siddiq-Conlon said of the alleged threat:

He denied accessing child pornography from his computer.

Nothing to say on that – of course police believe they have some evidence but you know of course we don’t have any of that stuff.

Prior to Siddiq-Conlon’s court appearance, the editor of Muslim Village, Ahmed Kilani, commented:

As someone who is in regular close contact with leaders of the Australian Muslim community, I strongly emphasise that despite the constant media profile given to him, Ibrahim Siddiq-Conlon is not recognised in any capacity as being a leader, Islamic cleric or spokesperson of the Australian Muslim community.

He is rather considered by Australian Muslims to be a self-promoting media-created phenomena, that has no Islamic qualifications, zero credibility and no influence over the affairs of the Australian Muslim community. To use the Australian vernacular, he is a ‘Neville Nobody’.

He added:

Ibrahim Siddiq-Conlon, regardless of his guilt or innocence, is a fitting reminder to all of us that not everyone that wears a cleric’s gown, grows a beard and can quote a few phrases from the Quran is an Islamic authority that should be followed and respected.

Hat tip: Bill Murray