Islamist fundamentalist group Hizb ut-Tahrir found guilty of gender discrimination

A Radical Muslim group has been found guilty of discriminating against women after making them sit at the back of public meetings.

The landmark finding came after a Sydney woman took on the global political party Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The group will now be forced to mend their ways.

During a public meeting in Western Sydney, men are seated at the front and women directed to sit at the back.

One woman, Alison Bevege, was appalled by that treatment, so she went to the Equal Opportunity Tribunal.

Today, she won.

"If you want to have a public meeting in Australia you cannot have Sharia gender segregation at a public meeting," Ms Bevege said.

Global Islamist fundamentalist group Hizb ut-Tahrir calls for Sharia law to rule in Australia, holding rallies open to the public but expecting all attendees to conform to their rules.

"Their trying to normalise gender segregation, it's in their constitution, but this sends a strong message," Ms Bevege said.

Hizb ut-Tahrir claimed Alison is an Islamaphobe and that Australian law could not dictate the religious affairs of its members at rallies.

In its decision, the Tribunal found Hizb ut Tahrir guilty of unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sex and its leader Ismael al Wahwah personally responsible for the discriminatory conduct against women.

From now on, Hizb ut-Tahrir must display notices making it clear women can sit where they like and their ushers cannot force women to the back of the room.

7News approached Hizb ut-Tahrir for comment, but received no reply.

The all-male leadership has repeatedly denigrated and insulted Alison Bevege as a bigot.

Now, they must grapple with the fact that she was right and they discriminated against women.

Their leader Mr al-Wahwah has previously courted controversy with his attacks on Jews and calls for Jihad.

"What they're doing is crushing the rights of progressive, secular muslims and non-muslims anb they're not allowed to do this in Australia," Ms Bevege said.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has no public rallies currently advertised.

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