The thing is Csteele, there remains one major unresolved issue
between the Islamic world and the Western world. The Islamic world
wants us to respect what they believe and deny us free speech,
with threats of violence if we do not accept their terms and
conditions. So violent has been their response, that even Pakistanis
are dying, as buildings are burned down.

So in essence, they want to deny you the very thing that you seem
to be fighting for.

We can only be expected to respect peoples right to believe whatever
they want, not whatever they believe. Otherwise we really would be
in trouble, if we would be denied the right to say what we think about
the Catholic Church or any other church, whilst these religions would
go on preaching their dogma with impunity. Some Christians as well
as Islam, become highly political and ride on the back of religion
to achieve their political aims. That makes politics rather one sided,
if one cannot express what one really thinks, about the opposition
and their claims, every time they quote from their holy book.

This core issue remains largely unresolved, so disputes will continue.

Another nice try, Poirot :)

Now back to topic:

How to resolve the dilemma of people being able to integrate into a relatively modern, relatively democratic, society when they may instead still be immersed in revelatory-religious, inegalitarian, static and male-centred ideology - even when they have also sought to come to Australia, or to stay here in the country of their birth, precisely because of its freedoms, its modernity, and its free-and-easy, up yours, nature.

No doubt we all have a lot to learn about how to get on with each other, but we must surely start - and finish - on the basis of the rule of law, equality of the sexes, and an awareness of rapid change. Things will never be the way they were, neither for ultra-conservative Khalifists nor for diehard Liberal voters, nor for that matter, for Stalinists.

Feel free to discuss, Poirot :)

Cheers,

Joe

I know Muslims who are genuinely horrified at what has occurred in Sydney. The state, as do the the Imams in my area, that they are "Australians first, and Muslims second."

Knowing the interfaith community to which Muslims contribute, I have no doubt as to their sincerity.

Does anyone know of the Council for the National Interest, Melbourne?

"Australia Censors Free-speech" (this article carries a link to Council for the National Interest "Secret Saudi Funding of Radical Islamic Groups in Australia" which might explain some of the extremist elements being witnessed)
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3358/australia-geert-wilders

This body has produced a report is well referenced, so seems to have a degree of validity.

Somewhat worrying, the report states that Sheik Halili (yes "the cat meat" one) of Lakemba Mosque is being challenged by a fundamentalist who wishes to take over Halili's position.

Why don't these Muslims do what Christians do when insults are thrown at their faith?

Pray like mad for the offenders' souls.

At least one could, perhaps, observe one spark of good out of this :-/

Middle Eastern Muslims, who otherwise would be killing each other ... so regularly, and in such numbers, such news is now tedious ... perhaps are showing some sort of cohesion.

Well maybe ... It depends upon which particular Allah or Mohammad has been insulted.

Csteele, ol' bean, ol' chum,

You have stated that your embrace the ideology of Political Correctness. How does that equate with freedom of speech?

I do enjoy your peons to self-worth ...

Have you written your obituary yet? I hazard that this will be released on your demise - (hopefully, many years yet down the track) in serial form.

Yabby: The thing is Csteele, rather one sided, ...................
if one cannot express what one really thinks, about the opposition
and their claims, every time they quote from their holy book.

Thank you Yabby I have tried to get that very message across many times but seemingly I get ignored.

Danielle: Somewhat worrying, the report states that Sheik Halili (yes "the cat meat" one) of Lakemba Mosque is being challenged by a fundamentalist who wishes to take over Halili's position.

That's frightening. What's next, a fully blown terrorist Imam?

The Muslim people in your area may be horrified about the demonstration but they still are working for an Islamic Caliphate in Australia. See the link below.

http://www.hizb-australia.org/events/item/372-khilafah-conference-2012

On Danielle post here is another post from the same Organization. It's something I have asked on OLO many times & been denigrated for it.
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3354/muslim-protests

A Muslim asks the same question.