Man at centre of burka controversy 'stabbed'

Anwar Sayed, a Muslim school teacher who is accused of fraudulently obtaining up to $752,000 (£430,000) in government grants by falsifying student numbers, is in hospital after being stabbed in the chest and face.

By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
Published: 9:31AM BST 06 Aug 2010

His lawyers have said that the attack was linked to the debate over whether a prosecution witness should be allowed to testify in the full veil.

The 36-year-old woman had applied to the judge, saying that she would feel uncomfortable and exposed without the veil.

However, the move was opposed by defence lawyers who argued that the jury would not be able to read her facial expressions.

The judge is expected to hand down her decision next week, but in the meantime the prime minister Julia Gillard has weighed in, saying that the veil should be removed in court.

Lawyers for Mr Sayed said that he had received death threats over the issue and stressed that he does not oppose women who choose to wear the full Islamic veil.

"Some people have misunderstood what's happening, they think that he's somehow objecting to people wearing the burka and that's not his position at all," Andrew Skerritt, the lawyer, said.

Mr Skerritt said his client was left "bleeding on the floor" after the attack, but police have played down the severity of the incident saying that "there was no weapon and no serious injuries" and that Mr Sayed sustained only a "scratch" to his chest.

Mr Sayed was reported to be in a stable condition.

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/7929843/Man-at-centre-of-burka-controversy-stabbed.html