25 October 2002

Confidential Prayer Alert:

Two Daniels Face the Lions' Den

We have just received a confidential prayer request from Pastor Daniel Scot and his wife Mariat.

You may remember that the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act was proclaimed into law in January this year. Two months later, on 9 March, Daniel Scot conducted a Melbourne seminar on Islam, sponsored by Catch the Fire Ministries. Daniel was born in Pakistan, is an authority in Islamic studies, and translates the Quran from the Arabic.

Three Australian converts to Islam attended parts of the seminar and took notes. Not long afterwards, the Islamic Council of Victoria made a formal complaint of vilification against Daniel Scot, and Pastor Danny Nalliah of Catch the Fire Ministries.

Despite seminar audiotape transcripts which proved Daniel Scot was merely quoting verses from the Quran, the Islamic Council has persisted with its vilification complaint. The Equal Opportunity Commission said it did not have the power to decide the dispute, and referred the matter for "conciliation" on Monday 28 October in Melbourne - in three days' time.

Further action against Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah, in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or a court, seems likely.

During the conciliation process on Monday, the Islamic Council of Victoria * clarify issues and reduce points of difference; * establish rules acceptable to the ICV for the future conduct of Catch the Fire Ministries, Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah; * elicit an apology from Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah (for speaking the truth about Islam, citing evidence from Islamic holy books the Quran and the Hadith!); * elicit an assurance from Scot and Nalliah that they will desist from this conduct (holding seminars explaining the truth about Islam) in future; * elicit an assurance from Scot and Nalliah that they will desist from publishing information (about Islam of the kind presented at the seminar) by any means.

Many people have commented that the two Daniels should not have a problem since they merely taught well-documented facts about Islam. However the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act does not define the offence of vilification in terms of truth or falsehood - but rather, whether or not the complainants believed they were vilified.

Even if the two Daniels are ultimately vindicated, they will receive no compensation. The case has already cost dearly in terms of time and legal expenses. Daniel Scot is based in Brisbane - he must attend hearings in Melbourne at his own expense. A solicitor has helped him prepare his 79 page response to the complaints against him. If he has to appear before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or a court, costs will soar.

Daniel Scot and his family have received death threats from Islamic sources in the past.

Let us pray for both Daniels and their families.

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

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