I notice that Irfan has changed his terminology. He writes about "Muslimophobia" rather than "Islamophobia." This would appear to be a tacit acknowledgment that you cannot compel respect for a belief system but perhaps you can for the people holding those beliefs.

I'm afraid this slight of hand won't work. I do not consider someone who holds Fascist views to be admirable.

Am I equating contemporary Islam with Fascism?

That is a matter for enquiry. However an ideology that seeks to alter the law of the land so as to make, inter alia, apostasy, adultery, sex outside marriage, homosexuality, advocacy of atheism, the teaching of evolution in schools and the publication of cartoons about Muhammed punishable criminal offences seems Fascist to me.

Note carefully, I am NOT referring to disapproval of apostasy, adultery, etc. Many religions share the Islamic abhorrence of, say, homosexuality, evolution or sex outside marriage.

I am referring specifically to a desire to change the criminal code of Australia to reflect these views.

Am I wrong in thinking that changing Australian criminal law to reflect Islamic mores is part of the agenda of the Muslim religious leadership in this country?

If I am I withdraw my comments.

Perhaps Australia's new Mufti, Sheikh Fehmi Naji el-Imam, would care to offer public reassurances on that point?

Perhaps Irfan himself would care to address the issue.

Rainier,

Now your starting to see the picture, Muslims have taken out more first peoples in history than whites ever did.

Koories and Murries are being led to Islam in ever increasing numbers particularly in the prison system.

Anthony Mundine does not help this situation. What is left of aboriginal culture in cities will be wiped out by this virus that is Islam..

Im told its spread up to Bowraville with ex-residents of Redfern..

Oh how the worm turns EH!

Hey Redneck you are welcome to attend my local land rights meeting anytime, you can bring your own gun or we can give you one of ours.

As for the foriegn semitic religious groups telling us non-belivers how bad we are and how should behave towards them. Big news, if you don't like it here go back to where you come from and take Scotty with you.

The cronulla riot is a classic example of why christian and muslim people should be deported, who gave them the right to run down an Aboriginal street claiming it to be their's. All three semetic religions are divisive with their fair share of fundemental followers on all sides.

If we non religious people don't start taking back this country soon we are going to have these groups telling us how and where to live. Just look at some of the christian groups such as the Bretheren, won't vote or serve in the armed forces, treat their women as slaves and then use their taxpayer fuunded lifestyle to decide for us who sits in the Lodge.

Irfan,
Yes there is widespread predugice about Muslims but you, and some posters here, seem to think it is unwarranted. I wonder why you think that when there is ample evidence as to why.

The earlyist terrorist attack I can recall is the slaughter of Jewish athletes at an Olympics about 30 years ago. Since then there have been countless attacks. 10,000 attacks since 9/11 alone and we see daily news of attrocities and the occasional biggy like Bali, Madrid and London. This week so far 307 killed and 445 injured.

This adds up to more than a few so how can people be anything else but pre-judgemental.

I reckon this Islamophobia is completely worldwide and affects about 95% of people. Yes including Muslims. Many Muslims are extremely fearfull of othe Muslims, and why wouldn't they be. In 2006 Muslims killed 17,000 in Iraq, mainly Muslims.

The Islamophobia effects range from suspicion, mild apprehension to fear, anger and outright loathing from those with loved one killed by Muslims.

The Islamophobia is directly caused by Muslim terrorists and by Muslim criminal actiities and anti social behaviour. In any country a high degree of Islamophobia reflects a high Muslim population.

The Islamophobia will only subside when Muslims realise that violence is not the way to go and they build a better reputation by being tolerant and accepting of other people of differing faith.

Most observers cannot see that happening for a long time.

Speaking of rhetoric, the Copenhagen Post reported recently on a new TV documentary that apparently shows how 'several of the instigators behind the violent Mohammed cartoon demonstrations never even saw the drawings'

http://www.cphpost.dk/get/103862.html

Mac

Thanks for your respectful tone.

But I still don't agree with you. I have spent a considerable period of time in a Muslim country (Turkey) and an African country (which I won't mention so as not to make myself to identifiable). I thought Turkey was a country with a great future. The African country was exceptionally poor, multicultural, and tolerant of all religions. They put Australia to shame.

Just as it's unfair to blame people for the ills of countries they have no association with, it's also unfair to blame one country for the ills of another country they have no association with.

It would be like Jews judging Australians based on Nazi Germany.

I think self-righteous fundamentalist Christians, such as Bozy, are more a threat than non-fundamentalist Muslims.

I find it disturbing that Australian Muslim women can not always do their shopping, catch a bus, walk down the street etc. without being threatened by a bogan who demonise them for something they are not.

And I think Muslim men should feel at peace with the safety of their wives, daughters, mothers, sisters etc living in a country such as Australia.