Foxy,
Yes I am concerned about FGM and child marriage but there are other alien cultural aspects of muslim,such as their approach to matters with violence and their attitude of ownership of wives which shows up in the rape of former wives by former husbands.

Stopping immigration of muslims does not help the present victims but as I said contains the problems to the present level. It is also the newcomers that refresh the practices that are alien.

You have a right to your views on education but for 24 years it has failed to stop FGM. Why give muslim females more power as it is them that help decide who the child should marry and they promote and help hold the girls, with aunts, while they are mutilated.

There has been no indication that the UK policies have worked at all in eliminating alien muslim practices. The revelations of the grooming of school girls for prostitution indicates it is worse.

A few years ago, before my spelling paddock, I became aware a mate was posting here, he still is,while I consider him a mate he may no longer think of me that way, and this thread and others like it are the reason, I share every concern on display here, but can never ever brand every Muslim evil,be honest, this thread was set as a trap, again well done! it trapped even me, have we the GUTS? to take the worst frome every faith? any faith? as we freely do here in relation to Islam? first Testament V Koran? Southern American hillbilly Churches V Trumps religious right? yes some Muslims are a very real problem! is any faith not? it is my view we in the west should get out of the middle east let them become dictatorships bad ones, but get out now and let them fix their own countries, but hate them?all of them?
Your God said *Let him who is without sin throw the first stone*

Belly,
firstly,I am not religous and don' take any notice of those who dislike muslims because of religion. I do not hate muslims but I object to their cultural practices and I do not think they can settle into our society. I think the first step is to stop allowing them entry, either as migrants or refugees. And I feel the same about other groups that we have allowed in that cause us grief.

The immigration is not just about benefits for foreign arrivals, we as the host nation should get benefits without allowing too much baggage from those coming. I would like to think that all immigrants feel gratitude and how lucky they are to be here. We do not have to put up with those that want to change us into something like they left.

Dear Banjo,

The steps that have been suggested to try to fight the
practices of FGM and child marriages seem to be working
in the UK and globally. The link listed below explains
in more detail. These steps may seem insignificant in
the wide scale fight against these practices however
to do nothing is not an option and these steps just may
lead to a ripple effect of change.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/07/how-far-have-we-come-year-fight-against-fgm-and-child-marriage

Banjo an unpleasant truth, if you oppose it that is, well over 80 percent of us think alike , just the same things concern them and me, as you, BUT we have laws and every time they get caught they will face them, they? the few! an idiot, who happens to be a woman,faced court for? not standing up for the judge! even after pleading guilty the half wit did it again! those few, CLEARLY in the wrong country, set out to confront us but in the end do great damage to? the community they come from, let us focus on that few not a whole faith
BAN THE BURKA we will in time, it is used to show separation and control of women, ban it as an act Muslims can do to show they want to be part of our culture

It is short sighted to suggest that we need a 'conversation' and 'education' and think for one minute that any real change will come from these types of suggestions.
Firstly I hate the whole practice of FGM.
I understand the reason behind it, but obviously it generates mixed emotions.
As for the idea that any real change will ever be achieved is a pipe dream.
These practices are part of their religion and promoted by their religious leaders.
You WILL NOT change a religion.
Islam will not allow their followers to leave unless the followers are willing to make a run for it and live as far away as they can from other Islamic followers.
Then maybe.
These people are so few they cannot be collated.
And furthermore, any wonder why I come across as a cynic and so forth.
These reports and stats being thrown around cannot be verified so I take them more as propaganda in promoting a cause rather than actual and confirmed statistics.
No matter what the antagonists may wish, this one is a no-brainer.
Another very important fact to remember is, these practices are sanctioned in their country of origin.
We have no right to tell anyone outside Aus what to do.
It's also worth mentioning that the custom of marrying off young women was practiced, in some countries, when the girls began their menstrual cycle.
Which meant that they could fall pregnant, in which case it was socially more acceptable to be married if one fell pregnant.
As opposed to giving birth out of wedlock which was and is still considered draconian by the more civilised societies to this day.