Exiled Labor Senator Fatima Payman is poised to quit the Labor Party as early as this week as her links with a $1 million Islamic television studio that campaigns against “homosexuality” in Barbie movies and dangerous “feminist propaganda” emerge.
The Labor Senator will be able to keep her $233,000-a-year salary if she quits the party over her support of Palestine and won’t need to stand for election for years.
But she is now on a collision course with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after he suspended her indefinitely from caucus over threatening to cross the floor again over Palestine.
Speaking in Parliament, the Prime Minister confirmed just after 2.30pm that he expects Senator Payman will make a statement soon, hinting she may quit the ALP.
“Senator Payman, of course, has made a decision to place herself outside the Labor Party, that is a decision that she made. I expect further announcements in the coming days,” he said.
“Which will explain exactly what the strategy has been over for more than a month.”
She now says she’s been “exiled” and excluded by her Labor colleagues.
“I have been removed from caucus meetings, committees, internal group chats and whip’s bulletins,” she said.
“These actions led me to believe that some members are attempting to intimidate me into resigning from the Senate.”
She was elected for a six-year term in 2022 after riding the wave of ex-premier Mark McGowan’s popularity to secure a usually unwinnable third Senate spot on the ALP ticket.
But it’s her links with pro-Palestine groups that is now set to come under scrutiny, including her donations to TV studio the One Path network.
The One Path Network films and edits videos for its YouTube channel, including interviews with local sheikhs about Islamic teachings and current affairs and includes pro-Palestine videos calling for trade boycotts against Starbucks and McDonald’s claiming the companies have links with Israel.
Senator Payman donates to The One Path Network
Under the rules of the Senate register of interests, Senator Payman must declare any organisation that she supports if she is donating more than $300 a year. One of the organisations she declared include the One Path Network.
The media company that produces content for TikTok and YouTube, is already promoting videos hailing Senator Payman as “a hero” for standing up to “rats” in the mainstream media.
“They have no shame. Senator Fatima Payman took a stance that the world will remember. Palestine will be free!” the video states.
The One Path Network teaches Barbie movie is “dangerous” and “feminist propaganda”.
But it’s the group’s teachings on homosexuality and pop culture that are set to raise eyebrows, with one video featuring a woman in a niqāb arguing that the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie is “dangerous”.
In the video, the woman criticises the Barbie movie as dangerous because it includes “feminist propaganda” and homosexuality.
It’s not clear whether Senator Payman supports these views, only that she is donating over $300 a year to the company that creates the videos.
The register does not require MPs to detail the exact donation. Senator Payman has been contacted for comment.
On YouTube, the video is titled ‘Muslim REACTS – Barbie is NOT what you think!!’
“Far from being a children’s film, this is a highly politicised film filled with messaging that is inappropriate for children, everything from crude sexual innuendos a plot around an existential crisis, homosexual references a transgender Barbie doll, and, of course, aggressive feminist propaganda,’’ the One Path network TikTok account states.
“They are greeted by a world where men are perverts, police make sexual advances on women, and a world where men are in charge of everything.”
One Path Network promotes Australian Islamic preacher Abu Bakr Zoud
The channel also promotes Australian preacher Abu Bakr Zoud, who has previously argued that homosexuality leads to anal cancer, Monkeypox and suggested “every rainbow flag should have a picture of a person with STDs”.
On August 30, 2022, Abu Bakr Zoud posted to his YouTube channel a lecture titled “Amazing Historical Analysis of #LGBTQ & Its Untold Dangers”.
“These organs are called the human reproductive system. This is what they taught us. So the purpose of this organ and this organ is to reproduce. That’s the purpose. So anyone who uses his organ for other than the purpose it was created — you’re not using your intellect,’’ he said.
“Did you know that anal penetration is the most risky form of sexual behaviour that a person can conduct? It is the riskiest form of sexual practice. There is high risk of developing viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C — and there is no cure for hepatitis A and B. That means a person will go on treatment for life.
“I believe that on every rainbow flag there should be a picture at the top of a person with anal cancer. This is serious. It is a warning. And the genital warts that can happen. There should be a picture, to warn the people as to what will happen, what you’re going down in.
“This is a path of no return. There is no cure, there is no treatment for these matters. Shouldn’t people know? There is danger in this. And in addition to this, the punishment of Allah, the curse of Allah.”
Why does Islam prohibit homosexuality?
The One Path Network also includes an explainer titled ‘Why is homosexuality prohibited in Islam?’
It describes a conversation with a friend explaining Islamic scholarship on the issue.
“Look, almost everything you’ve said so far makes perfect sense. Yet I can’t help but wonder why is your God so bothered about two men that just so happen to love one another?”
“Well, the answer is in fact quite simple and it all comes down to the very definition of Islam in and of itself – and that is submission. Islam by its very essence means to submit to whatever Allah ordains for humanity. No ifs, no buts, no why’s? No how come, just complete utter submission and servitude to God – and that’s what makes you a Muslim.
Allah says in the Quran:
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“So irrespective of social norms, trends or cultural practices, Islamic principles and prohibitions especially those that are clearly mentioned in the Quran and unanimously agreed upon are final – whether it’s homosexuality, interest, gambling, intoxicants, or adultery.
“Even if the whole world were to disagree and argue that it was for the betterment of society, that it was for equality, as Muslims our obedience and reliance shall remain in Allah alone.”
News.com.au has contacted Senator Payman for comment.