I thought it would be interesting to learn a little about what contribution Muslims have made to this country.

The character and outlook of Muslims are often generalised and stigmatised with stereotypes and many people do not realise that Muslims are as diverse as the number of nationalities in the world.

Muslims in Australia come from more than 60 ethnic groupings.

According to the 2001 Census, there are 282,578 Muslims in Australia with 35% being born here.

So why, the prejudice against them?

And please be civilized in your responses.

Foxy

Most reasonable people don't have a prejudice against Muslims or any cultural/religious group.

Muslims in Australia are a diverse bunch and often, like many groups, there are the hard liners and those that would work towards harmonious relations with their adopted countries.

You cannot stereotype Muslims as 'one' group. The prejudice exists probably because of the linking of Muslims to terrorism and the obvious differences in some cases like the wearing of the hajib. So the actions of a few in regard to terrorism influence the way Muslims might be treated across the world.

Muslims are the 'new' immigrants to Australia just like the Vietnamese were during the 70s/80s (the boat people) and the Europeans in the 50s/60s. Both groups experienced discrimination in some form or another (my European father for one) until the various groups became more accepted and integrated into their communities but while still retaining aspects of their culture.

It will take time and like all past immigrants, Muslims will be no different, as time passes and the situation softens up (ie. it is not new) we might begin to understand each other and accept the differences.

Dear pelican,

Thank you for your input. My grandparents and parents were also immigrants.

I agree with you, to many Westerners, Islamic fundamentalism seems like an almost scandalous return to a medieval morality. It conjures forth images of women behind veils, of adulterers being stoned, of thieves having their hands cut off, of public floggings and executions, of mardyrdom in holy wars, and, in very extreme cases, of political fanaticism exemplified in aircraft hijackings and terrorist bombings.

However, this picture is rather distorted, for it is based on what is newsworthy rather than what is typical.

Why has Islamic fundamentalism intensified at all - especially at a time when we might expect the societies involved to be moving forward, toward modernization, rather than backward, toward tradition?
That is something I'm still trying to work out.

Foxy,

I dunno, but perhaps fundamentalism - in many faiths - has intensified for the very reasons you cited: this is a period "when we might expect the societies involved to be moving forward, toward modernization, rather than backward, toward tradition."

We, as all other animals, have been programmed to react quickly and instinctively to fear. Fear is the automatic trigger that helps us react to danger immediately and thus aid in our survival. We see a spider or a snake? Quick! Stamp on it, kill it! It could be a harmless variety but, if not, our survival depends on immediate, instinctive action so we don't have the luxury of time to assess the danger rationally.

The Global Village concept is viewed from two perspectives - those who welcome it as progress towards global harmony, progress and modernisation; and those who fear it.

The impetus for globalisation is a first world concept. We are not trying to figure the whole world in the shape of some amorphous, traditional paradigm, but rather to shape it with the tools of technology developed in the modern, progressive societies of the dominant culture.

For those (and again, this refers to fundamentalists of all shapes and sizes)whose cultures differ from this brave new world this is a threat to their very survival. They fear.

And the instinctive reaction that has ensured their survival kicks in. Quick! Stamp on it! Kill it!.

Perhaps?

I agree that it is survival instinct that humans react to the unknown quality in the new.
But what people must realise is that while we have , somewhat grudgingly, accepted these Muslims as new citizens, they have not accepted us.
I know while people are sick of Hilali being dredged up so often, the deaths of our Australian holiday makers at Bali, the Australians in the Towers were not killed in battle but as a result of the twisted sick minds of Muslims who butchered because they had been taught to.
And now we have "Australian" Muslims charged with terrorism in our own courts.They have had a similar 'education'
We would be totally stupid to disregard all this, we cannot afford to.

Dear Romany,

I totally agree with you. Sociologists have observed that fundamentalist revivals, in whatever religion, take place in times when social changes have led to turmoil, uncertainity, and the erosion of familiar values.

When people find themselves confused, threatened, or even appalled at changing conditions, they may see a "return to basics" as a solution.

It is not suprising, I suppose therefore, that Islamic fundamentalism has surged in societies like Iran, which have experienced wrenching social change as a result of their new oil wealth. Some of these societies had previously remained culturally fairly static for generations - in some cases, for centuries. Then, in less than the space of a single life span, they were thrust into a world of airports and highways, schools and television, factories and power plants.

As part of this process, some of the Islamic societies have been flooded with foreign advisers, officials, and entrepreneurs. These new-comers may behave in a variety of ways that may deeply offend the locals. I am guessing here, but I think that in the view of the fundamentalists, foreigners, especially from the West, are a profoundly immoral and corrupting influence. I also believe that another reason is that the fundamentalists find it politically helpful to have an alien enemy. The solidarity of any community is enhanced if it perceives a common outside threat.