JayB, sorry, but I just don't see your point.
As long as law-breakers are punished for what they do here in Australia, I am happy.

Conservative hippie:<
"What are your thoughts on the effects and issues that have arisen as a result of extensive Muslim immigration into the UK, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the other European countries?"

I think they can handle whatever problems they have themselves. I don't consider Australia part of Europe at all.

"Do you accept these countries now have some serious cultural and social problems that are seemingly irreversible?"

I'm sure all countries have problems with refugees and immigrants. Aboriginals here in Australia will surely agree with that.

"Is the potential for a serious terrorist attack in these countries more likely or less likely?"
I wouldn't know. I believe all countries are on the alert for terrorist attacks surely?

"Should Australia turn a blind eye to the problems that have manifested over time in these countries, rather than learn from the experience and proactively plan ahead (which may include limiting Muslim immigration)? "

I think we have already learnt from other countries problems, which is why we haven't really had any terrorist attacks on home soil like some other countries have had.....unless you call Martin Bryant a terrorist? Criminal bikie gangs? Drug dealers?

"Is asking such questions Islamophobia and proof of bigotry?"
Not at all. But I fear your answers to my comments might be.

Suseonline & Paul 1405, you are more than welcome to comment also."
Oh gee thanks....this is an opinion forum after all!

Hippie you asked me 5 questions on page 19, here's my answers, by the way I'm a she not a he.

1-- Muslims have brought great economic and social benefit to all those countries. The VAST majority of Muslims there, just like the VAST majority of non Muslims there, are well accepted, law abiding, well functioning contributors to many facets of society there.

2-- No.

3-- More likely, but remember this applies to EVERY country in the world. Why? Because the tiny minority of terrorist Muslims represent a threat to EVERY country in the world. Just like the terrorist fundamentalist Christians of 600 years ago were a serious threat across the world.

4-- Australia should turn a blind eye to nothing in existence, both good and bad, in EVERY country.

5-- Yes and no. It depends on the "language" and "slant" used in the questions.

600 years ago much of the world was ruled or dominated by fundamentalist Christianity. Christianity brutalised people with unspeakable terrorism and domination. Eventually secular decency, secular democracy and secular freedom began to defeat this old style, brutal Christianity. The process took 300 years or more.

Everyday Islam in most countries, has also accepted secular decency. The problem is SPECIFICALLY the Middle East regions (and people influenced by that), which are very much like those old European regions when brutal, old style Christianity dominated there hundreds of years ago. The type of Islam practiced there, combined with the cultures of the regions there, produces brutal and inhumane power plays that rely on what Christianity used to rely on, brutal rules, utter intolerance, terrorism, killings etc. It took Christianity over 300 years to reform. We can't expect Islam in the Middle East to totally reform overnight. It will take at least another 100 years. There are many, many, many decent Muslims in the systems in the Middle East working for change. They are brave heroes, courageous and decent. There's also many non Muslims there doing the same thing from within.

Secular decency, secular democracy and secular freedom defeated terrorist Christianity, and it will eventually defeat terrorist Islam.

Dear May May,

Well your words have certainly struck a chord with me.

My position on this discussion is grounded in the
vision of a fiercely secular country that respects the
freedom of religion but does not believe in accommodating
fundamentalists and extremists who would impose certain
symbols that run counter to a harmonious and inclusive
society which is what the burqa and the niqab do.
They separate and distance the wearer from the normal
interactions with broader society.

Thank you May May, sorry about the gender blunder.

Thank you Suseonline - I didn't mean to offend you by inviting your comment, given my post was directed to Poirot. You are totally correct, this in an on line forum and you are fully entitled to comment on any post.

Paul 1405, if I haven't already offended you, please disregard my feeble attempt at being inclusive. If I did offend you, my apologises.

So Suse, in regard to the problems in Europe directly attributed to overcrowded Muslim ghettos and disaffected Muslim youth gravitating toward extreme Islamic fundamentalism, you don't see anything to be learned because Australia is not part of Europe... what?

For the record I agree with May May that the vast majority of Muslims are just regular people who do not pose any threat to the Western world or our lives here in Australia. But if the conservative figure of '2% of Muslims are extremist' is correct, we have approximately 28,000,000 potential terrorists globally; Numan Haider being one example here in Australia.

MM: A1 Muslims have brought great economic and social benefit to all those countries. The VAST majority of Muslims there, just like the VAST majority of non Muslims there, are well accepted, law abiding, well functioning contributors to many facets of society there.

No they haven't, they live in Ghettos of their own making where ordinary citizens are not allowed to enter or they get bashed up. Most are on unemployment & benefits. They are not well accepted, hence the turnaround in most European Countries to Very Right Wing Partys. They don't mix at all with the local people of the Countries they have emigrated to at all.

A2 No.

Do you live under a rock. The answer is a resounding, Yes! of course these Countries have irreversible problems. Unless they remove the source of the problem.

MM: A3 More likely, but remember this applies to EVERY country in the world. Why? Because the tiny minority of terrorist Muslims represent a threat to EVERY country in the world. Just like the terrorist fundamentalist Christians of 600 years ago were a serious threat across the world.

It applies to every country in the World that moslems have pushed their way into. The problem with the Fundamentalist Christians was 600 years ago. Yes, & it lasted 300 years. Yes. It goes to show how far the rest of the World has progressed. Islam started it's problem on the death of Mohammad & it hasn't stopped yet, or is ever likely to. The West just wants them to restrict their problem to the Middle East not bring their proiblem to the West, as they are doing.

MM: A4 Australia should turn a blind eye to nothing in existence, both good and bad, in EVERY country.

Australia should nip the problem in the bud. Unfortunately the problems have started. The Burka, etc issue is just one issue. It just doesn't jell with Australian sense of fairness or right. Yess there is Good & Bad in every Country but why import problems we didn't need to have.

MM: A5 Yes and no. It depends on the "language" and "slant" used in the questions.

To some people, anytime you question something they are for then you are considered to have a Phobia or are Racist. It's their way of stopping you discussing anything.

MM: Everyday Islam in most countries, has also accepted secular decency.

No they haven't, not in any country in the world & they haven't here either. Take ifitika & Choudry's rants about the changing the UK for two examples. The more we buck about them wanting to change us the more Fundamentalist Islamic they get.