What became of those heady days when multiculturalism was supposed to “enrichen the tapestry of the Australian way of life?” It seems we are now at the interface where fact and government propaganda collide. Our parents scouted the idea that bringing muslims into the country would lead to ever-lasting peace. They along with others knew that it was an inimicitious policy.

The experts tell us to avoid disenfranchising young muslim males. Are these the same experts that identified an angry muslim as being denied access to opportunity; dirt poor; uneducated; in-bred and a host of other pathologies. The exploding muslim doctors dispelled that myth. And what happened to that old trope ‘Islam is a religion of peace?’ That message has been dinned into our heads for many years. How ‘bout we start dinning it into muslims too.

I don’t believe that the media has promoted a negative image of Islam. Muslims are doing a fine job of that themselves and they don’t need any assistance from the media. I do agree that the media’s reporting of the Haneef matter became quite rococo but even his legal representative used the media to plead his client’s case. We don’t hear any complaints from muslims when a puff piece is presented showing a relaxed mufti in his kitchen helping his family prepare the evening meal. What is happening is that Islam is being scrutinised by media which are free of the smothering peremptoriness that stifles debate in other countries.

The author mentions the vituperators (presumably English speaking) who ring talk-back radio stations with vile opinions. I’ll bet there are plenty of vituperators ringing Arabic radio but we can’t understand what they are saying because some idiots think our society will cohere if we have about 30 different languages.

I can see fractures in our society that may never be repaired

UntutoredMind said “I think there is real evidence that type casing Muslims … as the enemy has been as active as using fear.”
Don’t you think the current fear of Muslims might be fear of death by suicide bomber? Islam will get a lot better press in Australia when we see community groups coming out against people like Sheik Hillali rather than defending him. Until then, it is hard to shake the feeling that Muslims basically agree with the obscene things he says.

UntutoredMind said “to put terrorist activity in context of probability of being hurt …and how small the damage has been.”
If the amount of damage done is the relevant measure of something’s importance, then anti terror laws and the treatment of Dr Haneef are irrelevant. The amount of suffering caused by anti terror laws is very small, only a handful of people have been affected. So why are you so upset?

UntutoredMind said” that in large measure the extent of current terrorism is our own fault”
That’s obscene apologism. What exactly was it that you think those 3000 people who died on 9/11 did to AlQaeda and other Muslims? What about the hundreds of people who were killed in Bali?

Shinga said “Playing the race card can potentially be explosive …”
We’re not playing a race card. This is about RELIGOUS fundamentalism and I don’t care if they are black, white or brindle. We have no place in Australia for migrants who are religious fundamentalists. Those Australians who are in that class should be encouraged to leave as well.

VK3AUU said “ Japan is the most xenophobic country in the world but it still managed to produce home grown terrorists. “
How many of them are killing thousands of people a year? Once the Aum Shinrikyo group were caught there has been no problems from them since. It was an act of group insanity. AlQaeda’s terrorist acts however, are part of a calculated strategy to radicalise all Islamic people and overthrow non fundamentalist gov’ts in the Muslim world. Its about global conquest. A crusade in reverse

But they have to provide cover for the oil grab somehow. Demonising whole populations of ordinary people is a tried and tested method of imperialism and resource *capturing*.

Oh Mr Holden, you are so nice. You have obviously never lived amongst muslims or understand islam. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

fellas, lets keep it in perspective, on numbers alone old whitey christian outscores the others in terrorist killings, at this stage in history led by good ol' US of A, and as for assimilating, sections of the brits in australia (in my 53 years experience) aren't doing a particularly good job are they?

Notice how often our own views and self interests color our posts? and just sometimes we all get it wrong?
The thread is rubbish, Medea? remember the hate after those cartoons?
We can not turn our backs on the hate and primitive undereducated ideas of SOME, far too many in fact who would kill us .
From within the Muslim community the answer will come to both cultures problems .
It will not come from sweeping the issues under a carpet or convicting the Medea for doing as we ask .