Thank-you Foxy for the names. i didn't realise.

Also, how could we forget Hazen El-Masri. Here are some photos of his last game: http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/sport/el-masris-finale/20090830-f3x5.html

His bio:

Hazem El Masri (born 1 April 1976) is a Lebanese-Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australia and Lebanon international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he played his entire club football career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with whom he won the 2004 NRL Premiership. An accurate goal-kicker, in 2009 (his final season in the NRL) El Masri took the record for the highest-ever point scorer in premiership history and for a record sixth time was the League's top point scorer for the season. He primarily played on the wing, but he has also played at fullback.

El Masri is a self-identified devout Muslim.[1] He is widely respected for his community work with young people, winning the NRL's Ken Stephen Award in 2002. The award recognises players who contribute to the betterment of their community away from rugby league.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazem_El_Masri

Foxy, the article you posted by Ali Roude was an informative detailed explanation of the Surah 9:5 verse of the Qur’an. Particularly the history of the word “infidel” and its original intended application. You might already know, but it’s the same with the word “fundamentalism” which was originally coined to describe American Christian extremists. These Christian Purists promote the onset of WW3 which they see as the Biblical Apocalypse and the Rapture Prophecy in which Jesus Christ will descend from heaven on a cloud and take all the Jews to heaven before God destroys the earth. They believe that because they have supported Jews and especially the State of Israel that Jesus will also favour them and they too will ascend to heaven.

Of the 3 Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, it was Islam that was first arrived in Australia, approximately 200 years prior to the arrival of Judaism and Christianity. Muslim Malaccan traders/fishermen arrived and according to expert anthropological examinations of gravesites in Northern Australia some of those Muslims stayed in Northern Australia, marrying local Australians and starting families. The Malaccans introduced cloth for clothing the naked Aboriginals and the dugout canoe with outriggers, but it is not known if they had proselytised Islam, some maybe.

It’s interesting that Christians (more so American Xian’s) continue to push the mythical Judeo-Christian bond, an irritant that Jews find most offensive as the two faiths couldn’t be further apart. Islam has more in common with Christianity with much of Jesus’ teachings contained in the Qur’an but the Muslim’s don’t bestow divinity on Jesus for to them he was just a man the same as Mohammad. For Jews and Muslims to teach that Jesus is a God is a blasphemy most heinous punishable by death.

In the 12th century Ottoman Empire the Beni-Merines, a tribe of Muslim Arabic Moors of Moroccan Berber heritage, introduced “their” Merino sheep to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal). The name Merino is derived from the Beni-Marine people. Introduced to Australia the Merino would be responsible for Australia’s early fortunes “off the Muslim bred Merino sheep’s back”.

Foxy, "Football is a great melting pot in which a common goal unites the players and the fans of different racial, religious, and economic backgrounds."

That is true and at least 50% of supporters are women if membership numbers of clubs are any guide.

For anyone who is wondering, a football is made from leather not pig skin. AFL leather footballs are Sherrin brand and are made in Australia, however I think the leather comes from India.

http://www.sherrin.com.au/football/index.html

The example of Sabrina Houssami is a good one, because she embodies the antithesis to the stereotypical subservient, burq-clad, fundamentalist Muslim woman who the Islamophobes would have us believe is typical of Muslims in Australia. Most Muslims I've known in Australia are relatively secular like her, although not as attractive and intelligent, of course.

Also, grateful seems to be a good example of a non-stereotypical Australian Muslim who is certainly making some positive contributions to this thread.

[Deleted]

Dear Rache, Cornflower, Grateful, Westralis, CJ,

I'm truly overwhelmed by your positive inputs
into this thread. I've read them all, and am
grateful that there's so much food for thought
It just goes to show what I've always believed
people may have different religious identities,
but we are alike in so many other ways as human
beings and I've always felt that it is arrogant
to limit our discussions to a "them" and "us"
category.

Dear Proxy,

Please stop it!