cont.....

Ok..Let's look at some 'contributions' of Muslims.

Ahmad Fahrour.. aah he was CEO of NAB..and while there he insitgated '
Sharia compliant loans (no interest) for Muslims.. now *that* has to be a positive right ?

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/eoa1995250/s8.html

Or.. in order to facilitite 'ritual obligations' for Muslim students at RMIT.. the Islamic society went to great lengths to obtain exclusive control of the multi faith prayer room... well done !

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/eoa1995250/s8.html

As I said.. 'people' make contributions... it should not be linked to their faith.. unless one wishes that 'faith' to be scrutinised.

Foxhole.. r u reading ?:)

Thanks to all the positive contributors
to this thread of mine thus far.
As I stated in my opening post - I went
to the exhibit that's currently showing
at the Immigration Museum here in Melbourne
called, "Australia's Muslim Cameleers:
Pioneers of the Inland 1860s - 1930s."
And found it interesting. I went home and
thought about the negative media that is
often faced by Australian Muslims, the impact
of world events, the misconceptions in the
wider community that exist, and the conflicts
within Australia (such as the Cronulla riots),
and I thought that it might prove a worthwhile
discussion to offer another perspective up
as a topic on this Forum, instead of negativity,
something positive, simply as a change.

Regrettably, some posters don't seem capable
of contributing anything in that vein - which
I feel says more about them than the subject
under discussion.

Many Muslims have contributed so much to this
country, apart from the early work of the
Afghan cameleers in NSW and Western Australia,
there's contribution by people such as Iman
Sabri Samson, in building communities in
Tasmania, the importance of women's groups in
providing programs like the Self-Esteem, Identity,
Leadership, and Community (SILC) program in Victoria.
The Islamic Council of Australia tries to build
bridges between Muslims and general communities.
Waleed Aly, the famous lawyer, academic, and author,
who's written many books on the topic has added
greatly to the understanding of Muslims in this
country, and the list goes on.

Great idea for a thread, Foxy. I agree that Muslims have made many positive contributions to Australia, starting as you say with the 'Afghan' cameleers in the 19th century.

<< Regrettably, some posters don't seem capable
of contributing anything in that vein - which
I feel says more about them than the subject
under discussion. >>

Indeed. As suzeonline suggested, they'll be attracted like flies, but I think that reasonable readers are well aware of who the haters are and of their intransigence. Their contributions thus far only reinforce their status as bigots.

To All Positive Posters,

I've found a very interesting website
written by an Australian Muslim that I feel
expresses things beautifully, if you
have the time, it's well worth a read:

http://australiansall.com.au/archive/post/a-reflection-by-an-australian-muslim/

Some of the self-styled “positive posters” above are dangerously delusional.
They wax lyrical about beautifully expressed Islamic sentiments on a website
which expresses as one of its founding principles:
“Acceptance that the right of free speech and a free press does not include the right…to denigrate a religion.”
Thus their goals become directly aligned with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference,
whose long-term objective is to criminalise the criticism of Islam globally.
The “positive posters” and the Islamists make for very interesting bedfellows indeed!
They would return us to the age of heresy trials.
Hopefully “positive posters” would not sanction death for blasphemy as do their fellow travellers,
in accordance with their holy book and extant shariah law.
Perhaps pecuniary punishment combined with a public renunciation of their statements
would satisfy our 21st century mediaevalists.
Be on heightened alert fellow believers in freedom.
The Islamists are here demanding that their religion not be criticised.
The dhimmis are already here paving the way for this to become a reality.

The collective contribution of Muslims engaged in the provision of Shariah-compliant finance is gaining recognition in the form of government initiatives to ensure tax laws do not discriminate agains this form of finance:

From the Assistant Treasure, Nick Sherry
"The Rudd Government firmly believes that Islamic finance can increase the depth and sophistication of our financial markets.

Australia is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from the growth in Islamic finance. "

The speech goes on to list the benefits of Shariah-Compliant finance.

http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=speeches/2010/019.htm&pageID=005&min=njsa&Year=&DocType=