I have noticed a shift in Irfans usually calm demeanor in recent posts - I am loathe to make generalisations but no that loathe to comment that it is partly in that subtle shift in tone you can find some answers to the overiding tension we are facing.

Instead of reason and logic Irfan has in a limited sense retreated to name calling - in response to fairly pointed bagging of his opinions and articles I might add; multiply that limited response by some exponential factor and you can end up with the type of mess we are all commenting on.

The inter racial/religious intolerance coming from both camps is a dynamic and dangerous phenomenon - however the more we talk about it the better; but talking about it from the entrenched positions that dominate these pages and the pages of our dailies is pretty stupid.

I am very wary indeed of any one, and those anyones are here in spades, who tell me they have THE answer.

Solomom aka sneekeepete - And WHICH camp are you from?

Alchemist,

For once I agree with your statement that religious institution/ religious schools should not be state funded.

Secularism works perfectly when stays at arms length from beliefs, sexual preferences, geopolitical conflicts. Switzerland is the bets example I have seen.

Irfan, on reflection I missed a group which I was probably thinking of as belonging to the disturbed about the sydney gangs but which may have a seperate identity.

There are a number of posters wanting a return to an imagined monoculture which is simpler to deal with. Most are probably happy to have asians running the local asian food fast food shop and maybe a greek or two in the fruit and veggi shop but don't want other cultures right in their face. They especially don't want people from other cultures insisting that the "Aussie" culture change to accomodate these newer arrivals, after all we were here second.
They don't want people calling for a toning down of christmas whilst insisting on displaying their own religious symbols.

Multiculturalism does not just work on it's own, it takes effort from all concerned. Some don't want to do that work, others are concerned that governments which have brought in and sponsored multiculturalism have not put the other stuff in place to make it work. Most of these concerns appear to center around the responsibilities of newcomers to fit in with the existing population.

Most of this group are not racist/nazi sympathisers etc but rather concerned about protecting a lifestyle they enjoy for themselves and their kids.

Suggestions are welcome about how to ease the fears of this group.

In my view this country has generally managed to make multiculturalism work fairly well over time, generally some transition problems as new groups arrive which settle after a while and then we all start reaping the benefits of having new cultures in our midst.

R0bert

As regards the allegedly ‘disturbing news’ on racism in Switzerland, what Counsel writes is that “Even if you, your father, and your grandfather spent their entire lives in Switzerland you do not automatically qualify for Swiss citizenship.” What’s so ‘disturbing’ about that? Similar rules apply to Israel and no reasonable person would call Israel a ‘racist’ country – unless it is deemed racist to wish to retain your cultural and ethnic identity and to prevent your country from being balkanized. The Swiss, quite sensibly, want to remain the way they are – a civilized, peaceful and egalitarian European country. And if their citizenship rules help stave off the entry of the misogynist Muslim barbarians at the gates, so much the better. Three cheers to them!
As for Asians running the local Asian fast food shop , I could not think of a better management of such an entity.

Woolworths, Coles, Bi-Lo, Aldi , Duffys , Harris Farm and a plrthora of Farmers Markets provide a cheaper and fresher product that the long gone suburban Fruit and Vege shop.

Of course you are quite correct in the assumption of the host expecting the guest to behave.
These benefits you refer to;
Is this the culture of Cooking, Eating, Dancing , Singing , defecating in your neighbours home , blaming your neighbour for your bad behaviour , then killing your neighbour when they object?

I would agree with your assumption that there is a desire for humans to care for those with whom they have an affinity.

And yes , if you don’t want to fit in then fork off!
http://franksartor.info/

Robert,

The problem does not lie with us - multiculturalism, democracy, law and order or the “Australian Way”....

Islam is not only a religion but also a Political, Social, Economical, Educational, and Judicial System. There is no room for separation of State and ‘mosque'. A Complete World in itself – that is taking over and spreading by stealth.

A True Muslim cannot integrate, assimilate, imitate, associate… anywhere - it's an innate problem of hate for anything non-islamic and everything the West stands for.

They believe they are the only pure people and all non-muslims are impure.

This is not my conspiracy it is the reality.

Quotes from 60 minutes July 05:

“There's no such thing as a Muslim having a non-Muslim friend, so a non-Muslim could be your associate but they can't be a friend. They're not your friend because they don't understand your religious principles and they cannot because they don't understand your faith.”

And
“…trust is sacred, and how can you put a sacred trust in the hands of a non-Muslim that doesn't understand what that sanctity is about?” (Sheikh Khalid Yasin)

“…we believe we have more rights than you because we choose Australia to be our country and you didn't. So don't come to me now because you are 'the majority' or you are in the power 'NOW 'to say to me, "Well, this is only my way or the highway". I won't accept that. (Sheikh Mohammad Omran)

And when asked: Do you see Australia having Muslim/Islam as the dominant religion here one day?
He replied arrogantly: Why not? What's wrong with that?

As for my contribution to solutions:

1. Crack down on all Islamic teaching (in kindys, schools, mosques, gyms, youth clubs etc…)that elicits any non-integration antisocial behaviour.
2. Their leadership must become accountable for their community.
3. Teach integration skills.
4. Introduce (and APPLY)zero tolerance laws and deport any culprits.