Michelle Leslie Released from Prison

She was released from the Indonesian jail on Saturday 19 Nov. after being convicted of drug possession and sentenced to 3 months in prison.

Her crime - possession of two Ecstasy tablets in her Gucci handbag while in a Bali nightclub in August

During her time in prison, she converted to a Muslim and accepted the Islamic faith. During those period of trials, she wore headscarves and bruqa.

Upon release, 24-year-old Michelle Leslie was seen donning skintight jeans and a singlet top. She flew back to Sydney.

Leslie attracted criticism after wearing full burqa to an early court appearance, a move slammed by Muslims as “superficial stunt” and by fashion commentators as “so last season.” She has outraged conservative Muslims since her release by dressing immodestly and contemplating an independent career.

Dr Ameer Ali [President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils] said that she can’t be a good Muslim and be an underwear model. "Going back to wearing next to nothing for photo shoots would prove that her claimed embrace of Islam was just a stunt. She can't have it both ways," Dr Ameer told Sky News.

Leslie: "Well that’s just racist. That’s a terrible thing to say. I’ve got the right, as a Muslim, to be whatever I want."

Leslie: "Well, someone told me there’s a billion Muslims on the planet - not counting me, of course - and you’d think I’d damn well insulted them personally!"

Keysar Trad of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia called for tolerance, saying many Muslims were models or belly dancers. "Sometimes, it takes time for people to adhere to all the tenets. We should give her the benefit of the doubt. The religion is about helping people through their spiritual journey, not excommunication," said Keysar.

But Leslie has denied her actions since leaving are unIslamic. She denied that she had used Muslim clothing as a stunt to secure favourite treatment in Indonesia.

"Religion is very important to me. A person’s religion isn’t a public thing, it’s a very personal, private affair, something that’s yours and yours alone, like, you know, um, say, um ..." Leslie told The Chaser's Dave Steward.

Leslie: It makes me sad. People think they know all about me from the news, they’re all like, “she’s the chick who just ‘happened’ to change her religion then, like, ‘happened’ to change it back again”. Prejudice and ignorance, that’s all that is.

The Leslie family spokesman has confirmed that Michelle will wear the burqa again in public, partially on account of her faith, but mainly to ensure the exclusivity of her lucrative media deals is preserved.

Her arrival from Singapore early today on a Qantas flight attracted a massive media pack at Sydney airport where she offered a few words.

Dressed in her alternative Muslim blue jeans and black jacket, the model told journalists she was “tired and exhausted.”

“The events of the last few months have just really turned my life upside down,” she said. “I'm so happy to be home and see my family and (boyfriend) Scott (Sutton) and my friends. I'd like to thank everybody that stood by me and supported me while I've been away.”

It appears Network Ten had obtained the rights to sell her story. Sean Mulcahy, her spokesman said Leslie hopes to cash in on her newfound celebrity before returning to a modelling career.

“I’d like to be a poster girl for modern Islam,” Leslie told reporters. "Ideally a calendar girl for Islam in time for Christmas.”

However, Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison said the proceeds of crime laws would prevent Leslie from profiting from her story.

This is what Leslie wants to conclude at the interview with Dave Steward: "I’m launching my own fragrance. It’s called “Jihad”. Anything for a quiet life, eh?"