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This is the dramatic moment an Australian imam was attacked with a shoe live on TV while discussing whether Muslim women should wear headscarves.

Mostafa Rashid has caused controversy by saying females should not have to wear the veil and saying drinking alcohol is allowed.

He got into a row with Egyptian lawyer Nabih al-Wahsh who then took off his shoe and beat Rashid round the head with it.

A clip of the dramatic confrontation showed the pair arguing on live TV.

Mr al-Wahsh takes off his right shoe before swinging it at the Australian imam.

Mr Rashid – who was originally from Egypt – then defensively kicks back as members of the production team step in to break the pair up.

After the row had stopped Mr Rashid rushed out of the studio, according to the Middle East Eye.

Both of the pair are believed to be unhurt but a member of the crew was injured in the scuffle.

Presenter Mohammed al-Ghaiti apologised to viewers for the on-air altercation.

He said: “It was a free fight in the middle of the studio. I never expected that something like this could happen on air.”