Senior Muslim cleric triggers outrage in Australia by blaming women for rape

A senior Australian Muslim cleric triggered outrage on Thursday for likening women who dress immodestly to meat that is left out for prey to eat - a comment critics said excused rape.

Sheik Taj Aldin al Hilali’s spokesman said the cleric’s comments in a sermon last month marking the Islamic holy month of Ramadan had been taken out of context in a report in The Australian newspaper. But the spokesman, Keysar Trad, didn’t challenge the accuracy of the newspaper’s translation. (AP)