Given the level of hysteria & hoo-haa these days Isn’t a representative muslim voice in our democracy a good thing? It probably won't be Hilali's, but that's not what the author is about, is it?

Since “Muslims also have the same entitlement as anyone else to pursue religiously identified politics”, the “generating [of] further distrust of Muslims” can only come from those already somewhat paranoid. Sure, we all “wonder what special interests a Hilali-endorsed candidate might pursue.” Just as surely we will find all this out before the election.

“On some issues, Iraq being the most obvious example, mainstream political thought is moving closer to the position held by many Muslims. “ Hmm. Nothing to do with flagging public support for Iraq, then, or the fact it was a really dumb idea to start with? What other examples spring to mind? Can’t think of any myself. Perhaps the author could elaborate.

“Hilali and his spokesman Kayser Trad…” I reckon that’d be news to HIM.

“Hilali is a divisive figure among Muslims, let alone in the general community. Given the intensely negative reaction to Hilali's recent utterances, no candidate strongly associated with him could hope to win”

True, true, and true. He’s got no chance. Still, his candidacy gives panic merchants like the author an opportunity to create further distrust and fear.
I think he/she will find OLO is an ideal starting point.

I read where there are something like 240 different ethnic groups in Australia. If each group were permitted to put a party into Parliament , it would certainly create an interesting stew.
If one ethnic group are allowed, wouldn't it be discrimination not to allow all the others?
That really would be 'multiculture!
It wouldn't be Australia but then that should please a lot of Aussie haters.

Mickijo,

Each ethnic group IS permitted to put a party into parliament.
Ain't democracy a bitch?

Oh proverbs stop it,
why cant u take an analytical approach to the issue rather than a fundamentalist approach. What we need is another period of enlightenment such as the 18th century enlightenment movement, which was a period where humankind was set free from superstition, and radical thinkers and was a process that encouraged the development of a pluralist perspective.
Religion in no part explains or predicts human affairs, in the same way Marxism was not able to predict political crisis, stock market crashes or sociological trends. The Quoran as well as the Bible are nothing but grand narratives, which is reflective in the fact that Islamic societies are no more homogeneous than our own Western Christian counterparts.
Yes perhaps its true that some facets of the Muslim faith could do with modernisation, which is an honest reflection made by Zauddin Sardar 'our recent past, that is the last four centuries, and our present, I submit, do little credit to the ideals of Islam; still less do they reflect the civilisation that was once the pace setter of humanity' but this change will have to come from within Islam itself, and believe me, id suspect that given the chance Christian fundamentalism would move toward theocracy (as we are witnessing in small degree within America).
I agree with Shakira Hussein's article, but i also believe that "Meaningful dialogue with other religions cannot exist if you cannot tell the difference between legitimate critisism and disagreement on the one hand, or unfounded prejudice and hostility on the other" (Runnymede Trust Report, 2004)

Wow. Some you guys never miss an opportunity for some good ole incoherent muslim-bashing.

It would be interesting to know how traditional Australian Muslims currently vote. In my opinion, they would probably find themselves in a difficult position, torn between their conservative values and the fact that the conservatives in this country don't seem to like them very much. If this is the case, then there might actually be room for a Muslim-values-based party in Australia (as much as I dislike faith-based poltics)... hmmm, I'm thinking it would look something like Family First (although neither of them would ever admit it).

Tak - heh, excellent point. The two sides are a lot closer than either like to admit.