Mufti seeks apology for stem cell slur

NSW Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees should apologise to Sheikh Taj Aldin Alhilali for calling him a boofhead, the mufti's spokesman says.

Sheik Alhilali's friend and confidant Keysar Trad called on NSW Premier Morris Iemma to show leadership and reprimand Mr Rees for comments he made in parliament on Wednesday.

In his speech in support of a NSW bill overturning a ban on therapeutic cloning, Mr Rees said Sydney Catholic Archbishop George Pell should apologise for trying to influence MPs debating the proposed legislation or risk "further comparisons with that serial boofhead Sheik Alhilali".

Mr Trad said it was a "disgrace" the mufti had been dragged into the debate on stem cell research.

The mufti was shocked at the insult and thought it showed great disrespect to Mr Rees' electorate of Toongabbie, he said.

"Muslims are sick of being used as an example of ridicule. It is shameful," he said.

"I would like to see the premier show leadership on this issue and come out strongly condemning these remarks and to discipline this person.

"If he's (Rees) big enough then I would expect to see him at the mufti's office delivering an apology in person over the next few days."

Mr Trad also accused Mr Rees of being lazy in his insult.

"Oddly enough, if he was to research the mufti's opinion on this issue, he might be pleasantly surprised," Mr Trad said.

"His fatwa (ruling) on this is that if it is for scientific research and does not risk the life of another human being and does not harm another living thing then it's fine."