I don't know why we bother to listen to Rabbis, Cardinals and Muftis on issues of Stem Cells and other complicated scientific pursuits. You may as well ask your local tax accountant, hair dresser or plumber for all its worth.

In fact I don't know why we defer any moral issue to any monotheistic theologian. Their source material is hopelessly flawed and they are manically parochial towards their own narrow creed.

There is something suspect about our Sudanese Refugee.For someone who is intellectually incapacitated and uses English as a second language the mistkes in spelling and sentence structure seem deliberately contrived.

People should not use forums like these if they have an axe to grind with business or individuals,since unsubstanciated claims could eventually seem forums like these be sued into oblivion and we will lose and avenue of free speech.

Hooray! Muslims have finally gotten rid of Hilali! I take it all back Irfan...just kidding.

Here is a letter I sent to the cowardly nihilistic media...

"It is utterly disgusting that the Islamic community’s leaders actually voted the racist, homophobic, misogynist that is, was, their leader, Sheik Taj Dene el-Hilali, back in for another term!

It’s only that he himself decided to step down that he isn’t still Mufti, although the damage is well and truly done.

If most Australians didn’t consider the Muslim community to be largely made up of intolerant bigots already, their new choice for Mufti - Melbourne Sheik Fehmi Naji el-Imam; is of such good character that in an interview with journalist Matt Price he refused to condemn Osama Bin Laden.

His reason, in the typical shady double-talk style we’ve come to expect from Islamic leaders – which says a lot in itself about their ethics, was that “I don't want to make any statement about Bin Laden because I don't know him”.

My question to the Islamic community is, are there any moderates? And to our government I say; if this is the calibre of those deemed worthy to represent Muslims, what are you going to do about such an open, obvious, rejection of the principles of tolerance Australians hold dear?"

...of course they won't put it in. The article I'm referring to was in the Australian on the 24/08/05, and yes, I keep such information in folders - to be used as evidence against multiculturalism in my PHD...

Good day all

'My question to the Islamic community is, are there any moderates?

Benjamin, the answer to your question is yes. The American experience of Islam indicates that there is cause for some optimism in Australia. When Muslims become Westernised they are significantly different to the 'pure strain' that occur in societies where Islam predominates. This aweful non-hybrid 'pure-strain' is currently manifesting itself in Malaysia and should be opposed by Australian society should it try and replicate itself here.

Having said all that, I now totally recommend this weeks 'Religion Report' on the ABC with Steve Crittenden. Listening to it is a half hour well spent;

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/default.htm

Here is the ABC's summation of the podcast;

'Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says he never wanted to be 'Captain Catholic' and that his faith does not enter into his policy decisions as Health Minister. In Malaysia, Lina Joy loses a landmark case to have her conversion to Christianity recognised by the courts. And a major survey of American Muslims finds that they are middle class, assimilated and happy.'

It's all highly relevant to Irfan's essay and this thread.

A poem, by my Nanna
(& yr not sposed 2 rip it off)

*Annette Hazalea Ainsworth SCHOFIELD*
aged nearly a ton:

"Let Australia stand for liberty
Freedom, hope and unity
Destined now to be a nation
With a higher valuation
Of what life on earth should be
Not in social degradation of the weary and the weak
But with pledge in honour keeping
Giving to each human being
Human pride and dignity
Let us then a new world hasten
Work for peace to right each wrong
Treat all others as we would brothers
Heed not either creed or color
Sing our own dear country’s song
For the god of all creation
Waits the unity of nations in to one great family
Let Australia then the guide be
Beacon for the world to see
Australia!"

Adam's comment:
" ... *Browny* 4 Prez! Preference the *Greens!* ... "

The new mufti,and let us pray that he has a brain unlike the last one, stated that he hopes Australians would give muslims a fair go. We have been giving muslims a far fairer go than they have given us and no one can deny that.
If muslims stop demanding, threatening,being offensive and insulting[aka Hilali] they would feel far more welcome and far more 'at home'.
But while they see themselves as a separate tribe from the rest of us, that is how they will be treated.It is time they gave their host country something back in return for all they have received.
Australian laws are for ALL Australians and any who do not agree with them should not be here.
Australian laws do not vary for any religion.