Since the Berlin Wall came down almost twenty-five years ago, and communism imploded with the disintegration of the USSR and China's embrace of "to be rich is glorious", western eyes have needed another Other. Islam, with its cultural strangeness and its enviable wealth has fit the bill.
Instead of learning, we have been taught to fear. Zionist Israel has led the charge by playing on this fear like a piano.
It's about time we had another look. There's so much more to Islam than we have allowed.
Take but two examples. Historically, where would our numeracy be without the Zero? And today, what has our embrace of sexual immodesty added to our lives?

I find the article disingenuous as Shariah banking (a version of venture capital) does not violate any Australian laws, just as selling halal food. There is no restriction on groups applying their own ethics or practices where there is no conflict with common or criminal law.

It is entirely a different matter if someone wants to enforce these practices on others.

In "Government needs honesty on Shariah" (15 April 2013), Joseph Wakim criticizes the Australian Government for promoting Islamic banking while not supporting "Shariah law". It was not clear if the author supports Shariah law, or opposes it, or what aspects they might support or oppose. In my view it is quite feasible for the Australian Government to support Islamic banking, without it having any wider implications.

In 2008 I attended a Corporate Governance Conference at the Securities Commission, Kuala Lumpur, the regulator for Islamic capital markets in Malaysia. From this I got the impression that Islamic Banking has much in common with ethical investment by Australian companies such as "Australian Ethical Investment". You can already choose a range of ethical investment funds in Australia, which avoid investing in gambling and the like. Of course what is considered ethical to invest in will depend on your beliefs. If seems quite feasible to have Australian business investments compatible with Islamic business practices.

More at: http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/labels/Malaysian%20Corporate%20Governance%20Conference%202008.html

Halduell,

Like so much of its maths, I think you will find that the Muslim world borrowed the zero from Hindu priests in India, as it borrowed algebra and trigonometry.

In his magnificent book, 'The crest of the peacock', George Joseph pointed out that,

" .... As regards zero, there are only two original sources of its use in a modern number system: by the Maya, and by the Indians around the beginning of the Christian era." (p. 22)

i.e., 'discovery' of the zero pre-dates Islam. In fact, Islam has always been a great borrower, and in justice, has advanced much of the scientific and mathematical understandings of the time - in that sense, it has stood on the shoulders of giants, just as we do now.

Cheers,

Joe

Have we all read the laws to enter Dubai, if you are travelling there be very wary , or you may be deported very quickly on minor to us things, as an example Codeine in headache pills, leave those at home and go with Aspirin, if you are not married and wish to stay in your hotel in the same room then forget that, and the list goes on and on, imprisonment and deportation seem to be the order of the day. We as tourists feel intimidated by such laws but do our best to overcome the problems while visiting there and obeying their laws, although Dubai I believe does not practise Sharia law to the extent of other Muslim countries, it seems to be alive and well there, we do not at any future time in Australia to have these laws thrust upon us here, business suits cover a multitude of sins under the disguise of being one of your countries people but at the same time only too happy to bring in their countries law of Sharia by buying up our land etc, be very wary.

RELIGION IS JUST THAT! basically "a dream in the head" all of them claim "divine inspiration" NO proof just their "belief" which if questioned can lead to being MURDERED.
If people need to have a religion that is their choice, BUT that "CHOICE" must not in any way interfere with those of us who are not interested, if they must practice their belief system we do not need these practices encroaching on any aspect of our lives, in the privacy of their own homes or their church OK but not marching down our streets like the so-called "youth day". we need protection from the various "nutters" of religion we don't need their "foot in the door" attitude and their insistence that we become one of them or we are deemed "unworthy" so-called "infidel"(not worthy of being alive)any attempt to impose any form of religious laws MUST be rejected.

Religion and religious rules are only for consenting adults. A state that stands by and allows it to be foisted on anyone else fails to uphold its duty of care for human rights. This is especially so of religions with a history of enforcing their rule over people's lives through the coercive powers of the state. Islam has such a history.

Right, so according to Halduell the 2 massive contributions of Islam to the West are the zero and potential sexual modesty.

Joe has pointed out the lie of the zero, although it is a fitting symbol of islam.

As for the type of sexual modesty islam has to offer, we all know the way women, gays and anyone who differs from the procreative missionary position, are treated 'under' islam. That is, badly, usually fatally.

I look at islam and conclude there is nothing islam contributes to the West, a vastly more civilised set of values; given that why should the West entertain any adoption of Islamic values.

Those sections of the community who have capitulated to islam through only stocking halal foods deserve condemnation.

@halduell: "And today, what has our embrace of sexual immodesty added to our lives?"

I can't speak for you, but personally it's added a great deal to mine. But of course it sounds a lot worse if you call it 'immodesty' rather than 'letting people do what they want to'. And that's the trouble with religions -- they get very upset at the idea that people should be allowed to do what they want. That's why they need to be fought.

@Joe (and others)
Point taken regarding the origins of zero, and thanks for the correction.
No point taken regarding the lack of modesty in our western world. We compound our error of always searching for a quick fix without a degree of modesty in all our interactions.

Shadow Minister, (Monday, 15 April 2013 8:15:06 AM)

And

tomw, (Monday, 15 April 2013 9:23:17 AM)

both have it right.

This has no more to do with introducing Shariah law into Australia than allowing Halal restaurants or "ethical investment" products does. Mr. Wakim's suggestions to the contrary are disingenuous to say the least.

Big fuss about nothing.

Loudmouth,

The invention of zero is not so simple. There are indications the Babylonians may have come up with the zero as placeholder even before the Hindus. Below a link to a brief history of zero:

http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/HistTopics/Zero.html

No Government, Religion or individual has ever let Religion interfere with making themselves a Buck.

The Alphabet is Phoenician & the Zero is Indian & Mayan. Like all peoples The Arabs built on these & then the West built on their knowledge. The others fell way behind because their inventiveness was destroyed by their religious Dogmas & Customs.

Agree almost completely with Shadow Minister.
If Shariah law is problematic for moderate Muslim communities, it clearly has no place in any society, founded on Christian principles; and innocent until proven guilty, as the foundation basis for our criminal laws!
If people want to come and settle here, they need to accept and adopt our customs and social mores! One of those customs is freedom of religion.
Or indeed, any other entirely unproven belief based system, even a stone age cult or medieval one?
This is the essence of tolerance, which some of the more fundamental advocates, [or the self appointed, who purport with extreme or unbelievable arrogance, to know the mind of God, and indeed, appoint themselves as his self anointed spokespersons,] have yet to learn.
Persuade with evidence backed by conviction by all means, not some lines written in any book over a thousand years ago, and constantly rewritten, reinterpreted/misinterpreted, summarily edited and revised dozens of times since then?
Arguably, to edit out inconvenient truisms or former belief/teaching!?
If we must study Islam in order to get to know it better, then surely it ought to be the oldest and least revised form, or the inherently peaceful, meditative Sofie tradition?
Rhrosty.

My concern with Shariah compliant financial services is how it might relate to laws concerning divorce and inheritance as examples, bestowing rights on men that they would otherwise not be entitled to under Australian law. I haven't heard any discussion on potential conflicts in this area, I am interested what anyone else thinks.

Does Halduell renounce terrorism which is committed by islamists?

Can he explain what islam brings to Western democracies by way of improvement?

Does he believe in individual rights, regardless of whether such rights are "immodest" or openly critical of islam? What exactly does he mean by "immodesty"?

Gee Farquhar, I've always been against any change to our law, but when you put it that way, roll on Shariah.

Hell we might even get some equity back into the child support system & the distribution of wealth when a relationship breaks down.

Must admit I'll miss the acres of tanned flesh on the beach, but you can't have everything can you? Then those 72 virgins couldn't be all covered up could they, if I decide to make that final sacrifice.

This religion stuff is so hard, isn't it?

The Australian Government may wish to court Muslim investment but the only Law under which businesses registered & operating here should be required to abide by is Australian Law. Shariah Law or any other foreign codified system of law must not be elevated in status above any of the dozens of other legal frameworks that accompany immigrants to this country. Shariah Law in particular is ruthlessly imposed on several unwilling populations & has an horrific, bloody history commensurate with the anachronistic attitudes of its adherents. Given the imperialist beliefs to which Jihad is logically connected, the introduction of any component of Shariah Law must be assertively opposed & its inherent cruelty, bigotry & exclusionary practices, rejected. Muslims can observe their religion & do business here under the umbrella of Australian Law, just like the rest of us.

Hasbeen: Then those 72 virgins couldn't be all covered up could they

Didn't they tell you that 72 virgins are all blokes. ;-O

Unfair Jayb!

Now you've really pricked my baloon.

Hal,

One man's 'immodesty' is another woman's 'submission to male domination'. So laws which demand 'modesty', expressly of women, would quickly become laws which oppress women.

Surely you would agree with that ?

Don't swallow every bit of shariah rubbish you get told :)

Equal rights before the rule of law, for all.

Cheers,

Joe