God has created diverse human beings to live in this tiny global village of one family. Creation by its very nature is diverse with different species, different communities, different cultures and languages. These differences represent the beauty and wonder but diversity is sometimes not fully appreciated, resulting in all sorts of clashes. The British society and Establishment must learn to respect and accommodate others, as if in a family.

Multiculturalism is not about integration but about cultural plurality. It is not about separation but about respect and the deepening awareness of Unity in Diversity. Each culture will maintain its own intrinsic value and at the same time would be expected to contribute to the benefit of the whole society. Multiculturalism can accommodate diversity of all kinds – cultural, philosophical and religious – so that we can create a world without conflict and strife. Britain can assume the role of accommodation and concern for all peoples, for our planet and indeed for our survival. Multiculturalism is even more important and crucial after 9/11 and 7/7. Muslim youths are also likely to feel alienated by a focus on shared Brutishness, rather than multicultural diversity. Rather than promoting a single British “us” teaching should acknowledge that “us” can be diverse and plural. Children should be encouraged to explore differences in appearance, history and religion to reduce social and educational fears.

The demand for Muslim schools comes from parents who want their children a safe environment with an Islamic ethos. Parents see Muslim schools where children can develop their Islamic Identity where they won't feel stigmatised for being Muslims and they can feel confident about their faith. Muslim schools are working to try to create a bridge between communities. There is a belief among ethnic minority parents that the British schooling does not adequately address their cultural needs. Failing to meet this need could result in feeling resentment among a group who already feel excluded. Setting up Muslim school is a defensive response. State schools with monolingual teachers are not capable to teach English to bilingual Muslim children.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

Hard to work out the reasoning behind this ramble. My observations tell me multiculturalism is as relevant in most people's lives as is renewable electricity.
All the both have achieved is derision and division. The rich get richer from it, and the poor continue to grow poorer.

As for Islamic education; the most stark difference between sectarian schools lies in the Government support for Jewish schools, to be subsidised and sanctioned to allow taxpayer funded machine gun toting guards on their entrance gates.

Why do you keep repeating yourself, Iftikhar?

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=8346#261558

Get a hobby, dude.

Well our author firmly tries to get his point of view across and while I often get in deep trouble here and in other places for defending Islam, for shouting the truth,, not all are in any way a threat, I am not blind [please ignore the ranters] but are you fairdinkum? Australian for are you telling the truth? has SAUDI ARABIA showed non-citizens and its women they have rights to diversity? could I settle in any Muslim country and dress and live as I wish? a *truth* both sides must first respect the host nation,must never ever tell the host to do something they are not prepared to,change

come on Belly the Saudi's are now letting women drive. Mind you the way some young girls drive around with mobile phones they might have a point.

Where would Saudi Arabia be without western inginuiity ? They were sitting on their oil for thousands of years & riding camels whist trying to keep the sand out of their eyes.
A bit like another one of those cultures we so often hear about.
Islam appears to be the only religion, if it can be called a religion that is, that doesn't appear to admit that others are just smarter or just as silly or worse. Can anyone point to a place on Earth where Islamics have done good for all ?

Ifti I'm sorry, but your words fall on deaf ears.
I don't wish bad upon anyone.
Anyone except those who wish bad on me.
I know of no other CULT that instructs their followers to kill anyone who does not become one of them.
The old saying, 'If your not with me, you must be against me'.
No that is just one of the reasons this 'thing' called Islam is so on the nose.
In Australia we have people and religions from all over the world.
We have co-existed quite happily for centuries.
We can see evidence of their religious places of worship everywhere.
They are all melded nice and peacefully and quietly into the suburbs and you would not even know they are there.
Now because we are a Christian based country, and we used to sound the bells Sunday morning, to summon the worshipers to church, it has predominantly been stopped due to noise pollution laws.
BUT.
Here we have a CULT, who insists on wailing with the use of loudspeakers, none-the-less, to remind their followers that they have to pray, FIVE TIMES A DAY! (or else)
It simply is a fact of life that there will always be things in life that do not assimilate, integrate or even relate to each other.
And neither should they, if they are so deeply committed to their beliefs and rituals, no matter how wrong they are.
But it also means that those of us who are not of the same mind or beliefs should be allowed to ignore them because it is our choice to do so.
Now unfortunately, even for me, as much as I bare no ill will towards well meaning people, it is not quite so obvious when it comes to Islam.
I can feel the ill will spewing from some Muslims when they speak of non-Muslims.

Iftikhar,

The magority of funding for Australian schools (about
three quarters of it) as I understand it comes from
the state and territory governments. Most of the money
in the pot goes to public schools. But the proportion going
to private schools has climbed in recent years.

Private schools are almost fully funded by tuition fees
paid by student parents - but they do receive some
government subsidies. The following link explains more
fully:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/school-funding-explained-without-mentioning-gonski/8555276

Your concern about Islamic schools is understandable for
your children. However, you are quite free to send your
children to the schools of your choice, just as other
parents do. And as with all religions in this country - the
government does try to be as helpful as possible even though
it ultimately is the parent's choice of where they want to
send their children.

I'm sure that if you do investigate all the options
available to you shall be able to find a school for your
children that will meet with your approval.

In any case - Good Luck - I wish you every success in your
endeavours.

//The magority of funding for Australian schools (about
three quarters of it) as I understand it comes from
the state and territory governments.//

He's in England, Foxy. Lord knows why he haunts this forum endlessly repeating the same stuff over and over again; perhaps he's cursed or something.

Dear Toni,

Thanks for that. I had forgotten that he's in the UK.

Perhaps he needs to post there - to get the rules
changed regarding the funding of private schooling
in that country - although with the vast diversity of
their population - I think that's not going to be easy.
The government would not have enough money to cater for
everyone.

I suspect that there - private school funding will remain
in the hands of the parents.

Perhaps Iftikhar needs to go and move to a country
where Islamic schools are funded by the government?

another wrong kind of diversity today as muslim working at Sydney uni charged with plotting terrorism. I think their are certain parts of diversity more suited to non diverse countries.

The man has been arrested and charged.
He's a former international student (on a student
visa which expires in September) from Sri Lanka.
Someone dubbed him in. And I imagine that he will
eventually be deported

Yeah hope so Foxy although maybe under Shorten he will be able to throw away his id and come on a boat. Now that would be compassion.

REALITY, always has a roll to play, our author has no real interest in us all living together, zero intention of looking in the lands Islam is practiced, to tell us why women are treated so badly, to answer my charge we would never have the freedom there he tells us his people should have here, a day must come when humanity questions every God, and asks itself why any of them demand we live by rules men made up when they invented Gods

runner,

So you think that Shorten's going to win the next
election? That's a surprise.

However, I'm guessing that
this man will probably be deported before
the election. But you never know - the efficiency
of the current government is still to be tested.
It just may take years.

Dear Belly,

If only we were able to recognise that our individual
minds create our collective realities, and that we
are ready to take responsibility for the world - by
taking more seriously our individual contributions to
it. Personal transformations can and does have global
effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is
us.

'However, I'm guessing that
this man will probably be deported before
the election. But you never know - the efficiency
of the current government is still to be tested.
It just may take years.'

come on Foxy you know that it will be some UN Human Rights lawyer along with the activist that will keep this guy here. I mean he had Turnbull and Bishop on his hit list. No loyalty to them for their 'progressive' views.

Foxy believe me my whole life has been one of accepting and supporting migrants/refugees, we [those who are insulted for being progressive] should not let that support turn to blindness, it is fact,, we in the country's Islamic followers, faith not anything else, would not be free to demand they change, redneck rage is born because some of us see only what we want to, too while offensive to many faith, every one of them,,has never proved that God, any of them, exists

runner,

The man's visa expires this month.

I doubt if as a student he'll be allowed to stay
because of the charges laid against him.
Especially with the new Minister - who will be
out to prove her credentials, so you need not worry.

Dear Belly,

Change has to happen in this country - the past weeks
have shown people that. We need to demand more from
our politicians - demand it and if we don't get it -
give them the boot.

As for our beliefs? I guess we're all going nuts in
our own ways - as my gran used to say.

Foxy my truly held belief is both sides will confront the falling primary vote and bring about the reform they both need,dare not list my sides needs but it is needed and will be done, we are one great leader away from either party staying in power for a decade, some times that alone is enough to bring changes in both sides,this thread however reminds us we do have problems, on both sides, we can not ignore that if we want to live together

“State schools with monolingual teachers are not capable to teach English to bilingual Muslim children.”

The statement above is rubbish. My wife taught at Berlitz. Among other languages she taught English to non-English speakers. Berlitz trained people to teach English to anybody regardless of the language they spoke.

As far as I am concerned government has no business funding any non-public school. If you want to send your child to a non-public school you or your community should pay for it.

You also wrote: “Children should be encouraged to explore differences in appearance, history and religion to reduce social and educational fears.”

I agree. We want to know your children. We want your children to know our children. The way to do it is not to send them to separate schools. The way to do it is to send them to public schools where they can meet, interact and get to know each other. However, when people encounter people with different beliefs they may abandon their original beliefs or may influence others to abandon their original beliefs. That is something you have to accept if you want to be in a non-Islamic country.

david f,
I fully support your view. Private schools should not be funded by people who can't use them.

We will NEVER become a Muslim Nation, more chance exists, with Chinese migrants being ten times the number of migrants Muslims are, of us becoming a Chinese country, that too would need to be after we lost a war,Islam is one day,, to confront falling numbers like Christian churches are now,the very fact many Muslims lead a life of seperation is their self made reason for that decline