Ifran,
I enjoy your articles. They show tolerance, moderation and an understanding of the issues developing in the world regarding the diverse cultures we have on this quite small planet. Thank you for continuing to build a body of reason for us all to discuss. I haven’t posted here previously because I could see the same arguments coming from other threads.

It would seem to me that ‘our’ society has as much trouble with tolerance and understanding as any problem supposedly raised regarding Islam. I am not a leader in any religious group but perhaps the suggestion that the religious leaders in the Australian community could begin working together is a worthy thought. If seen working together overtly (i.e. let all Australians know and see) the leaders could begin to build the collective front required to undermine the extremist/fundamentalist agendas. Media releases, published joint-articles and the like would go a long way to silencing the disunity being touted here.

If I recall correctly, Islam calls its followers to treat strangers with respect and honour in their house, at the risk of dishonouring themselves? Well, the least I can do is offer you the same. It’s a pity certain factions can’t behave in a similar civilised way…

Big Fish – you don’t see multinationals accepting goods made for $1 a day as exploitation?

Peace and tolerance to all.

Aisha or whatever your name is.

Philo's posting above highlights exactly where terrorism is coming from and who is it targeting. It is the difference between someone who reads and analyses and another brainwashed.

As for your websites that you keep advertising you don't need to. They are all premium advertisers on search engines (ie paying a top rate per click) which means each have a $500k-$700K per year per site per search engine. Congratulations on millions of dollars to be spent on your cause.

You might want to chose a less obvious name if you are not a muslim by the way, ...how about "khadija"? :):)

I would agree there Fellow_Human, that it is best to gather information from a number of sources before forming opinions.

Consider the following:-
"Ministers now believe that the bombings - which left at least 49 people dead in Britain's worst terrorist attack - were the work of a "very, very small number" of individuals who arrived from mainland Europe or North Africa on false passports within the past six months."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/07/10/ncrime10.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/07/10/ixnewstop.html

"Former Metropolitan Police chief Sir John Stevens has warned the London bombers were "almost certainly" British and that there were many more born and bred here willing to attack".
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=355300&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

So two different newspapers, two different sets of “facts” as to where the bombers originated. The bombings were most likely politically motivated, but every person should keep an open mind, so that they do not become brainwashed or manipulated or treated as pawns by those who can gain from such.

No one should be expected to defend their faith because of the actions of others.

No Muslim is responsible for the actions of other Muslims because he is a "Muslim" - any more than a Roman Catholic is responsible for the 30 years of attrocities perpetrated by the IRA against Londoners because he is a "Roman Catholic".

A Muslim living in London might wish to speak out - not because he is Muslim but because he is a Londoner and presumably British - expressing his contempt for those who threaten his freedom of action and association by planting bombs.

Not since around the time of Charles I has any true Englishman expected anyone to denounce someone based on religious values.

I see no reason to turn back the clock and expect it now.

Certainly, Muslims who would support the actions of terrorists or a Jihad are better off in gaol or leaving UK for nastier shores (more suited to their attitudes) but Muslims who accept the tolerance which UK is famous for should value the price that tolerance places on them - and that price is to accept co-existence with non-Muslims and support the reality of freedom of expression and faith - especially when that freedom as expressed by non-Muslims may be confronting to what Muslims may hold dear.

The streets of London is no place for a Jihad - any more than the streets of Sydney, New York or Bahgdad. The only place for a Jihad is in the minds of deluded idiots whose quest for personal power has corrupted them - and thus deserving to be locked up behind strong bars to keep them well away from real and decent people (of all faiths).

- For Muslim you may also substitute all and every other minority or majority social, racial or religious group in the UK (or, IMHO, in Australia for that matter).

"No one should be expected to defend their faith because of the actions of others."

Col Rouge, while I heartily endorse your sentiments, only in an ideal world does the above apply. The Muslim faith is suffering from some very bad image probs as a result of an insane minority.

Timkins, in your open-minded opinion, do you agree that London Muslims should decry the actions of the terrorist minority?

Col, from a theory basis I'm in agreement with you. From a pragmatic perspective I think it makes a lot of sense for the Muslim community to speak out against terrorism.

Two reasons stick out for this
- Muslim leaders might get listened too a bit more than non muslims by those considering being a part of the "jihad". Maybe if the voice of the moderate muslim community is loud enough on this it will raise some doubts about the virgins and paradise etc as rewards for killing the innocent. I'm not holding my breath on this but I can always hope.
- Similar score for lessening tensions with the non muslim community. Clear statements against terror might reduce the support for torching mosques etc. Take away some of the crutches used to justify that kind of action. Again I'm not holding my breath.

R0bert