I know a delightful Muslim woman and her young son. She received asylum in this country.

She and her husband, Saudis, were western educated, he a doctor and she a nurse. When I first met her she was wearing jeans and T-shirt. This young woman had to flee Saudi Arabia.

Her crime. Her husband believed that there was something wrong with their child. He divorced her. As she explained. Being a divorced woman in Saudi Arabia, both she and her son had limited life expectancies. Her gratitude to the Australian government for accepting them was beyond words.

Unfortunately, these attitudes towards women are prevalent. An Australian friend married a Kashmiri Muslim, nominally Muslim only. He was a scientist and they lived in Pakistan. Needing to do more study in the US and unable to take her and their two small children. he arranged for them to live in a local convent. Even this proved unsafe for her and she fled back to Australia. Some of his own friends added to the problem.

Further comment.

These attitudes are not endemic across the Muslim world.

Indonesians do not ascribe to these beliefs. When Lady Gaga's concert was banned in Indonesia, many were outraged. One writer commented that they did not want teachers of Riyadah entering their country bringing with them an un-culture.

Dear Danielle,

I buy the Australian Woman's Weekly for my mum
every month and in the November 2013 issue
an article my caught my eye:

http://www.almuderis.com.au/news/222-from-penniless-prisoner-to-bionic-surgeon

Professor Muderis had to flee Iraq after he refused Saddam's
regime brutal orders to surgically remove the ears of soldiers
who escaped from the army. He ended up on a flimsy wooden boat
heading to his new home, Australia. He was one of many
"boat people." His contribution to this country and
internationally has been outstanding.

The following link gives his biography:

http://www.almuderis.com.au/about-us/assoc-prof-al-muderis

Foxy,

Thank you for information of this extraordinary man. Indeed, he is an asset to Australia.

Importantly, he has been given some media coverage. We need more of this to offset so much negativity.

Dear Danielle,

He is so happy to be in Australia and is giving back
so much. His wife is also a GP and both of them
are remarkable people. Yet Philip Ruddock, then
Immigration Minister, had told Prof. Muderis when
the Prof. was in detention that the Prof's qualifications
would not be recognised in Australia. Prof. Muderis
when asked what would he say to Mr Ruddick today, smiled
and replied, "Let's talk, mate." (or words to that effect).

As you said - and extra-ordinary man indeed - and he's not
the only asylum-seeker with courage and determination who's
got a lot to contribute to this country. It's a shame
that not enough publicity is given to these people, but
instead emphasis is placed on negativity for political gain.

Whilst there is discussion, valid discussion albeit, of Islamic thugs in our society, I think there should be a balance demonstrated. This is no way absolves some of the problems we see, but should be recognised.

Most of the medical care workers, both doctors and nurses, in our public hospitals are from overseas. And most of these people would be Muslim. Their care of patients is exemplary; undoubtedly they do not indentify their patients as infidels.

This same phenomenon is evident in other areas, such as aged care facilities, including private facilities.

If it were not for these people our public health system would grind to a crashing stop.