Response to Scout:

Scout, your experience is no different to mine and I think I've made it fairly clear that issue is minor and probably already being solved in the workplace one-on-one. But if David BOAZ presents a argument, which is not complete nonsense, then I'll try to respond positively, especially that he has tried to distinguish himself from the racial hatred posts.

Response to David BOAZ:

Well, guess what? You can rest easy my friend, because the ham-sandwich affair is just a blog rumour. I spoke to a Hume Council officer and she said that there is no such policy, no such view. Let me explain what I learnt:

There are three Turkish councillors on Hume Council, Victoria. At a few council functions in 2003, an eager caterer decided not put ham sandwiches on the menu. Then someone noticed and made a fuss. The councillors explained it was never a problem to have ham sandwiches for other people and the caterer asked to supply them. Problem solved.

As usual, a little bit of research uncovers the facts: Australians solving problems, clearing up misunderstandings and working together.

You are not specific on points 3 to 5. Perhaps you could verify point 1 yourself because there are NSW noise laws and I can't find anything online to verify this at all. I ask you to consider that because you are a fairly reasonable person, things you say have more weight compared to others and hence people would be likely to take your comments as truthful.

BD, feeling like a post so I thought I'd have a look at your list.

1/ Calls to prayer from PA systems.
- Not nice if I lived near it but I know churches which ring bells to announce their worship services and some which sound more like a rock concert during services and I've had neighbours at times which insist on playing music at distortion levels. A preference for your own sounds at levels which bother those who don't want to share them is not a new muslim thing.
2/ Denial of ham sandwiches on religious grounds at council functions(SAHRIA) - See Mr Latimers comments.
3/ The 'religious discrimination' aspects already mentioned. Many christain schools advertise that all staff are christain - 'religious discrimination'?
4/ Changes to our law on stamp duty to accomodate specifically "Islamic" loans. (i.e. SHARIA) - does this provide an unfair advantage to muslims of just accomodate a different way of doing things? If the former then it is an issue, otherwise it part of the normal process of the law adjusting to change.
5/ Changes to burial laws to specifically accomodate 'Islamic' burial requirements (SHARIA) - In what way does this harm the general community? See previous comment.
6/ Attempts to silence legitimate criticism of Mohammed and Islam in public debate and media. RRT2001 Vic. (SHARIA) - I have a fairly broad objection to censorship and mixed views on the villification thing. Col wrote some good stuff a couple of days ago about the benefits of letting people air silly ideas rather than letting them fester in dark corners (not his words). Do you support the censoring of stuff you might find offensive (pornography for example)? Is the issue for you that your freedoms to condem Islam are limited or that individuals freedoms to make our own choices are limited? I don't recall that muslims were in the front of the charge to shut Pauline Hanson up so attempts to silence critics up is not a new muslim innovation in Australia - not Sharia just one approach to different views.

R0bert

a family memory …..

‘When I was at Currabubula (near Tamworth) in 1937) there was an Indian (Sikh) tobacco grower - turban and all. In spite of his wonderful friendliness and hospitality towards visitors (such as Dad and I) the locals resented his presence in the bush Aussie environment. One night they burnt his shack and tobacco ready for picking and marched him out of town. No police action that I can recall and we lived next door to the Police Station.

In 1938 at Spring Hill (near Orange) at my first morning at the local Public School the son of the local Methodist Parson fronted up to me in the playground pushing me in the chest and saying " you don't pray to God, you pray to a dirty old dago in Rome". I felt justification in giving him some whereupon his dozen or so mates stepped in forcing me to the ground and kicking the bejasus out of me.

Upon return to class, battered and bruised, the Teacher told me that I was a disgrace and he would not have me in his class room. I had to sit on the balcony till school end for the day.

My mother got it out of me what happened and fronted the Teacher who came up with the words still in my mind, "We have never had trouble at this school until your son started today".

Bigotry, whether religious or racial is often stirred up in otherwise decent people for reasons of diversion from reality. I believe that Howard is a master of this trick. The question is what and why? Ask uncle Sam!

Our security services would have identified any potential problems in migrants very early in the piece - why no action the before the "sh*t" hit the fan?

Who threw the first stone?’

When a muslim will come to the point and answer 2 questions for me I will be content:
1. Which comes first Sharia law or Australian law

2. Does Islam preach world domination

If a muslim would be good enough to answer these two simple questions, we non-Islamic souls may have a better idea, with which to formulate an opinion.

SHONGA

Great post mate. The only Muslim who I can think of who would honestly answer your questions is Bashir Goth.

Cheers mate
Kay

Can Muslims tellme where it says in the Koran that sex is waiting for anyMEN who terrorise ,kill and maim innocent people including their own which happens daily ?

Sex is of the fleash it is nor spiritual,Jesus said there is no sex in Heaven all Christians will be a s angels.

Muslims are headed for HELL as their recognized prophet who cannot lie (JESUS) said there isn't so,that's it.