Aisha (beautiful Muslim name for a non Muslim!)

Preaching to the converted here! You obviously forget that Jesus Christ teachings and miracles are in the Koran as well..:)
My points was just not to confuse the legal aspect with the spiritual aspects of the Koran and don’t judge us all for the doings of a bunch of psychopaths. I didn’t judge my Christian friends were muslim children were killed in Bosnia and the killing ceremony was attended by a priest. There are good people and horrible people. Religion will be used as a tool either for good or bad; it only mirrors what they have inside.

AK

Swilkie,
“Lack of social justice is the greatest form of violence”.
And what sort of social injustice are we talking about? Where does that start? Where does the responsibility really lie. Who forced the many countries especially in the Middle East to spend more of ‘defence” (loose term defence) than on true needs of their populations. Many of the countries are resource rich but still refuse to use wisely that resource. % of GDP spent on defence versus health and education is the true injustice here. The West did not force that on anyone.

People look at the G8 and says more must be done… “These leaders have the responsibility to end the violence” But also we must look at the other dancer in this tango. True the West is not saintly, and as BOAZ has said, colonialism did exploit countries, but that is getting on 50 years ago. The hundreds of miles of train tracks that have fallen into disrepair since colonialism ended, who caused that? The huge weapon stockpiles purchased and used on rival tribes – who again?

George Bush is right (yes! that George Bush) get the Europeans to drop subsidies to their inefficient farmers and that gets the African agriculture a foot in the door. But if the governments use the money responsibly then injustice can be truly tackled.

What I am getting at is that people have to take responsibility for their actions? And that is what (I think) Irfan Yusuf is getting at. It is up to the moderate Muslims who see these atrocities in London, Madrid and Iraq caused by extreme Muslims must stand up and denounce them and (IMO) fight against that. To do otherwise is not good enough.

And furthermore Muslims must look at the countries that breeds these terrorists and speak out where the true injustice springs from. How much does Iran spend on getting a nuclear capability and could that go to worthy causes? In Iran?

Big Fish, it's all very well and good for Bush to want EU agricultural subsidies dropped, but what about the US equivalent? He'll never drop those. Yet again, it's a case of US exceptionalism. Consider the Reagan sugar bill as a prime example. Even for the so-called "thank you" of the Australia/US FTA, big sugar's subsidy was sacrosanct. And speaking of "Thank yous" ... a big one to the Leonard Cohen posters. I am now stuck with the mental image of Sister Janet Mead trilling "Give me crack and anal sex. Take the only tree that's left, and shove it up the hole in your culture".

wow.

i write an article about my mum and her jewish friend and i get around 12 responses. i write something about unfair dismissal laws and i get around 25 responses.

and i write something defending muslims and other victims of the london bombing and i get over 50 responses.

could all those people who claim to hate muslims because of their love for australia please tell me why all those aussies who might lose their jobs because of unfair dismissal changes are not worthy of comment and concern? or don't you care about aussies losing their jobs and not having an inexpensive remedy?

Hello all,

First of all I want to congratulate Irfan for his great initiative. Perhaps we can think with him on how we can get people around the world to speak against acts of terror AND be heard.

I agree that it is CRUCIAL for Muslim people to speak out, to criticise extremism within their religion as other religions should criticise extremism within theirs.

Terror acts or wars in the name of any religion, ideology or agenda should not be tolerated. Not by people linked to that religion in question or by others.

It is vital to keep doors open and be a critic to yourself, to your religion, when practicing any belief or ideology, for that is what it needs to strike a balanced approach and stay in touch with the real world and its people. An open debate would only assist in creating a better understanding of how diverse a religion can be.

Any extremist approach is dangerous, making certain people (women, people with another religion, nationality, race, background) or other life on earth less valuable than the practicioner of that belief.

I call upon people to build a new powerful, general public opinion, supported by people from all religions, where all people and life are equally respected, regardless of backgrounds, gender, race or belief.

Terror and war CAN be beaten and should be beaten. There are many good people in this world, but they should be activated and supported.

Do not push your own ideology, join a group of people who all believe their thing, but respect the belief of others and communicate, not fight.

Speak out, take some non-violent action, write a letter to your paper. Posting to this debate is a start.

Cecile

Ps: Perhaps you can set up a website Irfan. Your initiative is where major things start, creating mutual understanding for a better world, for all of us, regardless of ideology or religion.

Irfan, the reason you get a lot of responses is because it is a good article. You are also writing about something that is close to people's hearts.

I live in Australia. I work here but I care more about peace in the world than about unfair dismissals because it has not affected me. The London bombings have touched people all over the world and so have other acts of terror.

I am dismayed you have received some ridiculous, negative responses, and that people dare to push their ideology or religion in this debate. This is clearly inappropriate.

But please look at the constructive comments.
In calling upon Muslims to respond, you have reached a far bigger audience in Australia. Your call is courageous and I hope it will receive overwhelming positive support from both Muslims and non-Muslims.

I hope your action will have the impact it needs. Perhaps it is a good idea and timely to target Muslim groups with a profile if you really want to have some needed responses from the right individuals.


Cecile