Muslim rioter refuses to stand in court

I've been to court myself as the accused a few times. In all cases there's sort of a hushed reverence as the magistrate enters the courtroom. A call goes out just before saying "All stand" at which time everyone does, until the Magistrate says you can all be seated. Or something like that.

Not so for some it seems........

One of the Muslims arrested over the recent Muslim riots in Sydney (over that stupid internet movie spoof about Mohammed or something) has refused to stand in court for the magistrate, as he appears to answer for his alleged crimes. Something not taken lightly.

A MAN accused of rioting during last year's violent Muslim protests has been berated for his "disrespect" after refusing to stand before a magistrate at his court hearing. 

Mohammed Issai Issaka, who was charged with riot, assaulting police and resisting arrest over the September incident, this morning said his religious beliefs stopped him for rising for the court - the standard practice whenever a judge or magistrate enters or leaves. 

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge repeatedly demanded Issaka stand for her, telling him she didn’t accept his refusal. 

"You can tell me where it is in his religion that it says he cannot stand," she said to Issaka's lawyer, Stephen Hopper. 

"I was a magistrate at Bankstown Court for four years and I have never had to deal with such disrespect." more

At least he's ended up in court over it. I do wonder though why the fuck he's here in Australia. If he feels that strongly about it wouldn't he be better off going to Afghanistan? Maybe our evil Australian life here is too good for him and he doesn't want to leave?

This is all my own pure speculation of course.