I wholeheartedly agree with Najla that

" .... through collaborative dialogue, open discussion and critical thinking, opposing beliefs may begin to shift. A shift from feeling disgust, resentment and anger to a feeling of an obligation towards each other to be tolerant and understanding should prevail."

As an atheist, I suggest that one can interact with other people in these ways regardless of whether or not one has a religious backing. Of course, we need to be tolerant and open to other people (except to those who are INtolerant) and to try to understand where they are coming from. That certainly does not mean that we have to be silent about injustices done to our fellow-Australians merely by virtue of their gender, as (perhaps I'm wrong ?) Yassmin Abdel-Magied seemed so ready to gloss over on Monday's Q & A.

Thanks to our general system of law, which applies to and for everyone (or should), women formally have the same rights as men. That certainly cannot be said, as Yassmin tried to assert, about the situation for women in Muslim countries. When women there can wear whatever they like, whenever they like, when FGM and honor killing have been extinguished from the face of the earth, and when womwn can leave the house without getting a man's permission, or having to be accompanied by a male relative, when they can drive alone and when they can study anything they like at university, then we can start to talk about Islam and its links to feminism. Any other prattle may well be simply a manifestation of a lifelong Stockholm Syndrome.

Joe

An "ordinary, middle-class, [Australian] working mother" is not a muslim and is not a follower of either Muhammad or any other prophet, whether muslim, christian or otherwise.

Ordinary Australian working mothers live in families where respect is not a gender issue - it is a right and a privilege.

Ordinary Australians don't place their traditions above those of their friends and associates, whether called a religion or a faith or a belief. They just do what they do and they "get along".

Ordinary Australian, including mothers, don't get preachy towards other Australians... they are too busy just being themselves and doing the best that they can for their families and their communities.

Ordinary Australian mothers don't speak down to their readers, using Arabic or Latin or other unfamiliar language as a step towards a higher pulpit from which to preach. That is why the Roman Catholics gave away Latin mass. That is why Jews, when using Hebrew, lose touch with their non-Jewish audiences. "Assalaam Alaykum" is not how ordinary Australians greet each other. That is a clear sign that the speaker is seeking recognition as "other", as not-Australian.

Please, if you choose not to speak to me as an equal, then show me through your actions that you are an equal and an Australian. Drop the "I'm special" routine. You aren't.

I watched the clash of cultures on Q+A and came out on the side of, the what you see is what you get, Jacki, and the only one of those two women ever to have served as a volunteer in our, (all on the line) military forces! The other an activist for what? Women's rights in the Islamic world? [Saudi Arabia? Women there don't vote or drive and can be caned for going out alone?]

Or just a self opinionated loudmouth trying to shout down those who don't share her belief? (Sharia law/Scientology mark two?)

Other cultures come and blend in, but Islam comes and instead of adopting the local culture and social mores, seeks to impose their medieval belief system, and what's more, a dozen different versions of it! Some of which are completely incompatible which christian values?

Instead of forever opposing Christian religious ideology, with almost every word and action? Your stated live in peace and harmony claims would be more believable if you weren't a standout in so many ways.

Including this antisocial aggression that seems par for the course with recent Muslim migrants?

Older immigrants from the Islamic world, totally indistinguishable from everyday ordinary Aussies and blend in as fully assimilated.

Yet follow their religious beliefs to the letter as they've always done.(and if they can!)

But where they come from hardly ever any degree of religious tolerance. But particularly for the Infidel, who can be lied to without sinning! And to serve the (religion of the sword) hidden Islamic agenda? World domination!

And thus far, have followed the domino theory from the Middle East right down to Indonesia and north into eastern europe, supplanting and replacing the dominant culture with something far less tolerant! And borne out by the unsightly undemocratic riotous activism in today's Indonesia!

Stop playing the professional victim and blaming us! If you want to see the racist in the ranks, look in the mirror!

NO, WE WILL NEVER EVER ACCEPT SHARIA LAW HERE!

Don't like that or us? Find somewhere else!

Onya Jacki!
Alan B.

«Mark my word many Muslims loyalty is to our great nation of Australia.»

How sad.

One should always remain loyal to God, first and foremost and remember His name at every moment.

Whatever name one uses to call God does not matter. It could be 'God', or 'Truth' or 'Love' or 'Absolute' or thousands of other names - whatever is most dear to your heart and if you happen to be a Muslim then you would use the name 'Allah'.

Did you ever love someone, Najla? A parent? A child? A sibling? A man? A pet even?
Would you sell and betray your beloved for the sake of becoming an ordinary Australian?
But Allah, upon which this whole universe is founded, your very breath, Him you are happy to forsake that easily?

While some noisy members of this forum and of Australia in general might not like your presence in Australia, nothing stops you from going about your peaceful daily life. You are not even persecuted here, Najla: The Spanish Inquisition placed Jewish families on top of a roof on a hot day, with a pool of cool water below. The Jews were told that they could descend whenever they like into the pool and be baptised to Christianity by its water, but they remained on the roof and died of dehydration one by one, faithful to God.

If you are "a practising Muslim who profoundly opposes terrorism and is ardently seeking harmony", then you cannot be "ordinary", then you are beloved of Allah, may He shower His blessings upon you and may you always remember Him.

Yuyutsu,

Anybody who puts the 'interests' of an invented god above those of a single person has taken a step away from being human, never to be trusted. What sort of ghastly god would have to be constructed which would demand that, apart from that modelled on a self-absorbed, arrogant and vicious tyrant ?

Do what you like with that.

Joe

“ Mark my word many Muslims loyalty is to our great nation"

I would like to believe this lady. She has a lovely, open face, which she doesn't wish to hide. She is a mother – the greatest thing a woman can be. I would like to say, maybe there is hope.

But, then I am reminded of the reality of 'taqiyya', and the shutters drop. Muslims are openly encouraged to lie to promote or protect Islam. It's part of being a 'devout' Muslim. Muslims see only countries which are Muslim and those that are yet to become Muslim. Migration to other countries is part of the plan to conquer the world for Allah. I am amazed that anyone brought up in the Islamic faith can even utter the word 'tolerance'; it is not part of the Islamic lexicon. No non-Muslim should be tolerating intolerant Islam.

There can never be “social cohesion” where Muslims are concerned. It is just not in their makeup.

While there is room for consideration and sorrow for any person brought up in the Islamic faith (and knowing no better), the only good Muslim is an ex-Muslim. The shucking off of Islam is good for them, and good for the rest of us.