Comparing terrorists to Jews

TheAge: A group of accused terrorists will be able to pray in a special room during their court hearing in Melbourne.Thirteen Victorian men have been charged with various terrorism related offences as part of the two-year counter-terrorism investigation Operation Pendennis.Magistrate Paul Smith said he was sensitive to the fact that Muslim prayer times would fall during the committal hearing, scheduled for June. "I am mindful that at least one of the prayer times will fall during the court sitting hours," he said."I think that we have got to look at providing a room, that if the defendants wish to pray they can."This is not the first time defendants have been allowed to pray during court proceedings.Defence counsel Gerard Mullaly said orthodox Jews appearing in the County Court had been allowed to pray during proceedings. "I accept that the community understands that this is nothing special being provided to these men (the accused terrorists)."One of the accused, Bassam Raad, 24, of Brunswick, is charged with being a member of and providing funds and support to a terrorist organisation between July 2004 and November 2005........