Malcolm Turnbull hosted an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at Kirribilli House on Thursday night. Picture: Andrew Meares/AAP

Mr Turnbull had dinner with Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman, the national president of the Australian National Imams Council, at Kirribilli House on Thursday night.

The sheikh was among a group of religious leaders and prominent Islamic Australians to attend the Iftar dinner to mark the holy month of Ramadan and promote cross-cultural relations.

The Australian-born Sheikh Shady has reportedly previously said AIDS “is a divine punishment” for homosexuals and adulterers should be stoned to death.

However, Sheik Alsuleiman denies this.

He said he “unequivocally” rejected the claim he called for the punishment of gay people.

“As an Australian and a Muslim I unreservedly condemn the vilification and oppression of any group of people based on race, religion, gender, sexuality, or other criteria for that matter,” he said in a statement.

He said Islam “espouses there is no compulsion in religion and diversity is the norm.”

“As human beings, we need to come together to overcome and combat the hate that is fuelling so much violence in the world today.”

On Friday morning, Mr Turnbull was interviewed by 3AW Melbourne host Neil Mitchell on the subject of how the sheikh made his way on to the guest list.

“I do regret him being invited,” Mr Turnbull admitted.

“He has been invited in his official capacity as the president of the National Imams Council and the guest list was assembled by my department.

“If I had been aware of his remarks about homosexuals and gay people he would not have been invited.”

Mr Turnbull said he was told about the sheikh’s controversial past when it was too late to do anything about it.

“(His comments) were drawn to my attention during the dinner,” he told Mitchell. “My staff alerted me to that after The Australian newspaper had contacted them.”

Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman has made some controversial comments in the past.Source:News Corp Australia

Mr Turnbull said he knew about the sheikh’s comments on homosexuals but was unaware “until now” of his stance on adultery.

“This is the first time I’ve heard that and that is completely and utterly unacceptable. Remarks of that kind have no place in Australian law and culture,” he said.

“All Australians, the overwhelming majority of Australians, would condemn them. I was not aware of that remark until you played it to me then.”

Mitchell asked the PM if the sheikh’s comments were reflective of wider problems with Islam. The prime minister said he did not believe that was the case.

“I don’t want to buy into a theological debate,” he said. “It would be a great pity if the invitation of this individual overshadowed and undermined the importance of engagement with Muslim Australians.

“There are half a million Muslim Australians and the majority are patriotic, hard working people. It’s important for security, for strength of community that we respect each other.

“It was a multi-faith gathering. You cannot just see the Muslim community through the views on one cleric.”

Guests at the dinner included broadcasting power couple The Project host Waleed Aly and wife Susan Carland, head of the Australian Multicultural Foundation Hass Dellal, Muslim community leader Jamal Rifi, and Archbishop of Sydney, Reverend Glenn Davies.