Salam,

You said: '..it makes you wonder why Islamic leaders aren't approached for advice. Although a lot of them probably don't speak much English, surely a translator is available for something as important as a national statement?'

Why don't they speak much English? Why should Australian taxpayers have to pay for a translator whenever 'Islamic leaders' want to make a 'national statement'?.

I'm living in a country outside of Australia at the moment, and I can't speak much of that country's national language (although I am learning). I would never in my wildest dreams attempt to establish myself as a 'community leader' for Australians in this country, without first becoming fluent in the native language here!

I teach people who want to improve their English skills. I would be happy to teach English to any of those 'Islamic leaders', if they want to learn, and I'm sure there are many English teachers in Australia who appreciate the extra work too.

Making all Australians fluent in the national language - English - is a major key to solving this debate and improving social cohesion in Australia.

This is not about private religious practices, pork, or flirtatious behaviour…

Wake up guys – read between the lines – detect the arrogance? – islam is here to stay: better like it or else leave. It’s their way or nothing else!

No amount of dialogue is going to change a religion that is set IN CONCRETE.

sneekeepete,

“It still amazes me why so many are preoccupied with such a trifling issue.“

You could have spared us all 2 minutes if you just said the above and posted it. Obviously you don’t have a clue about the dangers of islam.

(Same goes for Pegasus)

Mickijo,

I wouldn’t bet on it mate: “no muslim leaders in government?” They come in all sorts so you won’t recognise them outright. If they are not there in person, they have a lot of clout on politicians by proxy (vote buying).

Keith,

Excellent point mate (loyalty to Australia) – that rules out at least 90% of all muslims...citizenship? what a joke!

Banjo,

Muslims will not change their ways. They follow a book that is unchangeable. If they try to “normalise” their ways – they are harshly chastised by their own.

The real problem that most “naïve” Australian overlook is that “WE” ARE IN THE WAY OF ISLAM’s GLOBAL PROPAGATION.

It says in their book that all the earth belongs to their god ‘Allah’ and it is their duty to invade and regain it – being Australia or Palestine, doesn’t make any difference.

Anyone in their way must convert to islam or accept to live under its authority. (Dhimmitude).

On subject :–

Salam - The only way you can humanly assimilate in ANY country is to give up your beliefs. As long as you remain enslaved to your Qur’anic doctrines you will never fit PEACEFULLY anywhere.

When reading through the article, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a clear, intelligent opinion on this matter.

When reading the comments, I was appalled by the ignorance, the black&white views and the lack of openmindedness of some posters.

When you claim that some "generalizations" about Islam are valid and true, don't you realize that, in se, this article itself is a protest against those very generalizations? A generalization is by definition ignoring large portions of reality. A generalization is NOT an absolute truth. It's not because all the cats I happen to know have 3 legs that "cats have three legs".

And how can you claim Islam to be antiquated when the head of the Catholic Church - and therefore perhaps a "real" Christian - has for ages prohibited the use of condoms in a society where sexually transmitted diseases and overpopulation are strongly present. VERY modern..

And one more thing: religious zealots can be found anywhere, among redneck Southerners in the States, orthodox jews, or 'missionaries' of the last century. Thing is: these zealots are easy-to-portray twodimensional figures, the media feast on people like this, whereas we tend to forget that these people are only a minority. Not all muslims are involved in Al Qaida, not all Catholics are part of Opus Dei and not all blondes are dumb.

Good on ya, Salam!

If I see a brown spotty dog, it would be ridiculous for me to conclude that all dogs are spotty brown. Seems obvious. But that’s about how silly stereotyping can be.

We live in strange times. The word ‘Muslim’ presently evokes in some people a wild paranoia, just like the word ‘Socialist’ did a few years back.

Travelling through Asia, my impressions of various Muslim societies were fantastic. Family devoted. Generous and hospitable. Highly moral. Peaceful.

How different this experience was from the general stereotype being pushed around today.

To decry Muslim culture because of the actions of a few is akin to labelling all Catholic priests as child molesters, because of the actions of a a few of them.

In fact, many male clergy admit to feeling embarrassed and suspiciously stereotyped as ‘potential child molesters’ as they go about their community work. This exaggerated public stereotype is grossly unfair to the majority of clergy who are horrified and disgusted at the actions of a small minority of their colleagues.

Grossly unfair. Ditto for the fanatical disparaging attitude being directed at all the good Muslim Australians out there.

Coach - I have a reasonble idea about Islam - I have undertaken a personal inventory and found myself not wanting - I have also undertaken a risk assesment in relation to the dangers associated with extreme Islamism and rank them with the prospects of me, or any one else not living in Iraq - as about the same as being taken by a shark in my lcoal swimming pool

mhar & others of the same ilk: Not hate filled against pagan islamics. Just expressing what we see and hear from around the world concerning these death-loving, misogynistic pagans. Don't you people read, don't you people get on the net, don't you pathetic bleeding hearts watch television? Please read the hate filled koran or even portions [on the net] where ALL moslems are encouraged/commanded to lie to unbelievers when it is in their interests- it's termed "al-taqiyya". Moslems trustworthy - oh! yes?
How can we not sterotype moslems, these people see us as unbelievers deserving death, see Australia as a moslem nation which they must reclaim. This because there have been some Afghans here with their camels since year dot.
Donnie: Should these militant pagans take over then and then only YOU will lose ALL your freedoms of religion. If you are a woman also you will subject to your husband and all male relatives. No work, no driving licences. Please read the nasty koran or portions of it and wake up. numbat