I think some of you guys are reading way too much into this article. Perhaps Salam has some history with her articles that I'm not aware of but I didn't see anything in this one to suggest a)apologism for islamic extremism or b) racist generalisations about anglo-saxon/christian Australian culture. It didn't seem angry or violent in any way.

Her article seemed to me suggest that we use the opportunity of Australia Day to meaningfully unite and celebrate our multicultural society and that's about it.

Salam, for my part, I won't really be joining in the celebrations. It's nothing against anyone. I just find all that flag waving Aussie, Aussie, Aussie stuff everyone goes on with on Australia Day a bit boring. Nobody used to care about Australia Day but in the last ten years or so it's turned into the 4th of July or something.

An interesting article Salam, thank you. I do warn you however. As you may notice, this will quickly become a thread where those who happily (& openly) peddle their prejudices ramble on about how all Muslims hate 'Australians' and 'multiculturalism' doesn't work.

I have had just about enough of trying to reason with many of the ignorant, bigoted people posting on these threads. Regardless, Alchemist, you are a racist, unaware fool. If you are happy with that than fine. But I would say that Salam is more Australian than you will ever be, in her respect and admiration not only for her country, but also for ALL of those who reside within it.

Look around people! Australia IS a multicultural society, whether you like it or not. Stope peddling your ignorant attitudes and move on. I point you to my posts on the recent Cronulla riots if you want to know my opinion on these matters further

Salam, I think multiculturalism can be likened to a used car. It looks pretty from across the road but as you get real close to it the faults become obvious. It has a few dodgy foreign parts included in it. The paint work is starting to peel. The speedo has been wound back to make it look young and fresh. There are signs that it has been in a few prangs. The paperwork that goes with the car was thrown overboard when the car was imported. The tyres have been painted with that nice tyre black but on close inspection you notice that the retreads are almost bald. The salesman with the one-way sunglasses, gold tooth and Panama hat latches onto you like a leech. No need to take this baby for a ride, he says. Trust me, this car will suit you and you won't look back.

Those of us who knew better said no thanks. We were surprised to find the 'bomb' sitting in our drive-way when we got home with the salesman saying that we were getting the car whether we wanted it or not. We've been paying for it ever since. And the blessed car is still as we suspected; a bomb that should've been sent to the wrecker years ago.

Salam, how much longer will you try to sell us this used car?

Salam,

Good article though I think its all a storm in a teacup.
Living in Sydney for the last 10 years, personal experience confirms average Australians are very tolerant and have no issues with different backgrounds whether ethinic or religious.

The whole cronulla issue is a mix of bad behaviour by a bunch of people, relaxed law enforcement and yellow media.

Learnings in my view are simple:

1. Stronger law enforcement and establishment of gang management force.

2. Encouragement of objective media and journalism (through a modified act or code of conduct for example). For example, the bastards who bashed the life saver on Cronulla and those who got drunk and bashed innocent people on the street are just 'criminals who broke the law'. Nothing else should be attributed to them.

3. Youth education, better parenting programs for harrassement (sexual or general) for first offence, tougher penalty for repeat offenders. Body gestures, staring and saying rude words to females on the beaches should not be OK for any youth of any background.

Can we get some definitions here? it seems at the moment everyone's standing around waiting their turn to put the boot into this amorphous blob called 'multiculturalism'. THe way I see it, 'multiculturalism' is either:
1. People from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds sharing the same values (I'm talking democracy and rule of law)
2. People from differen cultural and ethnic backgrounds with different values
3. A policy introduced by the Keating Labour government whereby ethnic 'spokespeople' are given pork in exchange for garuanteeing the votes of their communities.

I'm against 3 and have my doubts about 2, but if you're against 1 then you're a racist numbskull and not worth the trouble.

Alchemist indeed is a racist fool. If he wasn't ashamed of the image of Australia that the reports of the Cronulla riots would have depicted overseas, he is probably too insensitive. OK, those rioters were not representative of most Australians, but people overseas wouldn't know that.

It is true to say that multiculturalism is here to stay, the genie is out of the bottle, and by and large Australia is changed for the better because of it. The article was saying nothing offensive but the offence nevertheless taken by the bigots contributing to this debate speaks volumes about them. And it is fair to ask whether Australia Day is just an excuse to have a day off and get drunk - plenty of people have posed the question before, I don't recall any previous reaction as foolish as some on this page.