Outrage over Oz Islamic cleric''s "OK to hit and rape your wife" comment

Melbourne, Jan.22 (ANI): A Melbourne-based Islamic cleric has run foul of the authorities for telling his male followers they can force their wives to have sex, and hit them if they're disobedient.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has asked Samir Abu Hamza to apologise for his statement, saying it has no place in modern Australia.

During a 2003 lecture also posted on the Internet last year, Hamza told followers that under Islamic law, men could demand sex from their wives.

Despite Australian laws requiring consent, it was impossible for a man to rape his wife even if she refused to have sex, he said.

He also said that Islamic law allowed men to hit their wives as a last resort, but were not allowed to leave them bruised or bloodied,

"Under no circumstances is sexual violence permissible or acceptable in Australia - under no circumstances," Rudd was quoted by the Herald Sun, as saying.

"... Australia will not tolerate these sort of remarks. They don't belong in modern Australia, and he should stand up, repudiate them and apologise," Rudd added. (ANI)