Those people who feel that we should bend every which way to cater for alien cultures and those who don't care how many Muslims live here, should think about Holland.

Laurie,
I would agree that there are conflicting opinions on what is meant by the word “feminist”. The author has written that she is a “feminist”, thereby wanting to stereotype herself. But perhaps she should provide more specific details on what she means by being a “feminist”, so people will not accidentally miss-stereotype her.

Enaj,
If you have “feminist” type children, then should they wear the Hijab, or would wearing the Hijab be too stereotyping, or too “non-feminist”.

Boaz,
I am inclined to think that the numbers of Muslim babies being born in France is not being purposely done. More like Muslim women in France are having close to the normal number of babies, and non-Muslim French women are having too few babies, (or none at all).

However, if there is a secular, Marxist / Feminist type society that wants to eliminate marriage, eliminate fathers etc, eventually not enough children are born to sustain that society. This now seems universal, no matter what the country.

Rob88,
I think the Hijab issue in France was more like a cultural focus point, rather than a school uniform issue. The French can be very nationalistic (Eg “When in France, you must speak French” etc), but non-Muslim French women are having so few babies, that the whole French culture, (and all its history), could become a Muslim culture within a few decades. This was the major concern, so the Hijab in French state schools became a focus point for a much broader cultural issue.

Philo.
It is rather incredulous, that there is a clash of cultures over a head scarf, but in reality, that head scarf was most likely used in earlier times to cover up grey hair.

My kids aren't "feminist type" children. They are intelligent young women with a strong sense of themselves (she said proudly). As such, they can choose for themselves whether they wear a head scarf or not. Sometimes they do wear hats and scarves and hair decorations, sometimes they do not. Up to them, in my view, certainly not up to me or, indeed, to you, Timkins.
And, as I believe my daughters should have the right to choose their own clothes (they attend the only no uniform public high school in NSW -one of the top three performers academically, interestingly enough), so I believe all girls and women should, even if I personally would rather they chose differently.
If we stop muslim women and girls who want to wear the hijab from wearing it, how are we different from the societies that insist those who do not want to wear one, must?
I simply can't see a difference.

DLC, maybe too much reporting of the outside world here in Australia is making us xenophobic. We know too much. We see what could end up happening here if we aren't careful.

""Those people who feel that we should bend every which way to cater for alien cultures and those who don't care how many Muslims live here, should think about Holland"".

AGREED Lee.

"When in Rome do as the Romans do"!!

I shall go to the Muslims countries if I want to see people wearing scarves on their heads. If I go to Thailand I have to cover up to walk through their old Royal Palace, I do this not only because this is a condition of entry but as a form of respect for their beliefs and way of life.

This is Australia and I presume these people come here to live because of what Australia is - stop forcing your beliefs on our Country, have respect for our beliefs and customs, and stop forcing the people and their forbears who have contributed and made this Country what it is, to have to put up with your standards and beliefs and dress codes.

Go back to where you came from if you do not agree with out beliefs, rules etc., revel in the freedom that you now have and stop being divisive.

Sage,

Why do you assume that Muslims will ban such industries? Do you not believe that Muslims can be tolerant of the belief system of others? Is it not true that alcohol (to excess) and gambling are seen as immoral by the Christian faith? Is it also not equally true that Christian governments have banned homosexual activity, alcohol, gambling and prostitution at various times throughout history?

The simple fact is Muslims are not to be feared, large governments with these kinds of powers are what we must fear.

minuet,
This medium can make it awfully hard to determine someone’s true intentions, but for your sake I will assume that was a comment made in jest.

Pachelbel,
How are they forcing anything on us? When I walk past you wearing Jeans am I forcing you to also wear jeans?

Everybody,
If you don’t want your kids to associate with little girls with fabric covering their hair then you should place them in a catholic school, then they can associate with old women covering their hair with fabric.