LIVERPOOL Muslim leaders have defended their decision to auction a flag associated with the Islamic State to raise funds for a mosque.

Markaz Imam Ahmad (MIA) mosque spokesman Mohamed Rima said there was nothing sinister about the public auction. A painting of the flag was also sold at the auction.

“It was to fundraise to purchase the building that we’re in,” Mr Rima said.

media_camera A member loyal to the Islamic State in Syria waves a flag similar to the one auctioned in Liverpool.

Mr Rima said the flag has been hijacked by the Islamic State (IS) but was really a symbol of Islam that had existed for centuries.

“This flag has been in existence for more than a thousand years, long before any terrorist organisation misappropriated it for its own political goals.

“As for the money raised at the fundraising auction which was held in late July was for the mosque and for no other purpose.”



He said any links to ‘jihadist’ were false and inappropriate.

In a statement on the flag auction today, MIA said it was “an important symbol in Islam which contains the first pillar of the Muslim creed ... that ‘there is no god except God and Muhammad is His Messenger’”.

“The MIA serves to promote peace and harmony among Muslim Australians specifically and with the wider community in general. We work tirelessly to educate young Muslims about the beautiful ideology and teachings of Islam.”