Friday, February 24, 2006
No time to whinge ...
My immediate response to the comments on Muslims and Australian values was shock, dismay and disgust. It made me sick in the stomach that 2 prominent political leaders could express such ignorance on fundamental Islamic concepts such as sharia and jihad.
Of course, we all know they are doing this as a diversion to other emerging issues and scandals. But I think Muslims need to also consider why they can get away with expressing such divisive views.
The fact is that probably most Australians agree with the views expressed by Messrs Howard and Costello. Aussie Muslims know that Costello’s remarks on sharia evidenced near-chronic ignorance on his part.
They also illustrate our near-chronic laziness and inability to communicate our values to the broader Australian community. If the broader community understood what sharia really is and what it means to Aussie Muslims, the Howards and Costellos of this world would never be able to use such issues as a successful diversion.
We know that Muslim mobs rioting and burning embassies were being manipulated by their leaders to divert attention away from more pressing issues. Costello and Howard are using the same device in Australia.
Or are they? When was the last time a group of Muslim Australians sat down and explained to Mr Howard what sharia actually means? When was the last time a Muslim group even bothered to invite Mr Costello to one of their functions?
Our disappointment with our political leaders is understandable. But what else can we expect when we allow our fellow Australians to be bombarded with only ignorant views about our faith and cultures?
The time has come for Muslims to come out of the spiritual closet and to be proactive about their religious responsibilities. Our primary religious responsibility in Australia is to inform people about who we are and what we believe.
The Arabic word “dawah” is often used to describe Muslim outreach and educational activities. We know dawah is a religious imperative upon all of us. It is now becoming an imperative for our national security and our social cohesion. We cannot afford to sit back and complain about the ignorance of wedge-creating politicians. Now is not the time to complain. Now is the time to talk and act.
© Irfan Yusuf 2006
Of course, we all know they are doing this as a diversion to other emerging issues and scandals. But I think Muslims need to also consider why they can get away with expressing such divisive views.
The fact is that probably most Australians agree with the views expressed by Messrs Howard and Costello. Aussie Muslims know that Costello’s remarks on sharia evidenced near-chronic ignorance on his part.
They also illustrate our near-chronic laziness and inability to communicate our values to the broader Australian community. If the broader community understood what sharia really is and what it means to Aussie Muslims, the Howards and Costellos of this world would never be able to use such issues as a successful diversion.
We know that Muslim mobs rioting and burning embassies were being manipulated by their leaders to divert attention away from more pressing issues. Costello and Howard are using the same device in Australia.
Or are they? When was the last time a group of Muslim Australians sat down and explained to Mr Howard what sharia actually means? When was the last time a Muslim group even bothered to invite Mr Costello to one of their functions?
Our disappointment with our political leaders is understandable. But what else can we expect when we allow our fellow Australians to be bombarded with only ignorant views about our faith and cultures?
The time has come for Muslims to come out of the spiritual closet and to be proactive about their religious responsibilities. Our primary religious responsibility in Australia is to inform people about who we are and what we believe.
The Arabic word “dawah” is often used to describe Muslim outreach and educational activities. We know dawah is a religious imperative upon all of us. It is now becoming an imperative for our national security and our social cohesion. We cannot afford to sit back and complain about the ignorance of wedge-creating politicians. Now is not the time to complain. Now is the time to talk and act.
© Irfan Yusuf 2006
Comments:
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G'day & Salams mate!
'When was the last time a Muslim group even bothered to invite Mr Costello to one of their functions?''re dead'
tell me about it! where's the wonderful traditional 'stuff 'em till they're dead', lots of kids running around, Muslim hospitality?
not just to the big wigs but to all local leaders, council, state MP's, church leaders, business groups, lions & apex groups? invite 'em over feed 'em, let 'em know we're your mates, big smiles. put the suspicion away for a mo..that's wisdom
It seems so obvious, so necessary, why isn't it happening?
Hope to catch up with you one day mate
God Bless &Salams
Matthew Thistle (Mahdi Bin Doud)
'When was the last time a Muslim group even bothered to invite Mr Costello to one of their functions?''re dead'
tell me about it! where's the wonderful traditional 'stuff 'em till they're dead', lots of kids running around, Muslim hospitality?
not just to the big wigs but to all local leaders, council, state MP's, church leaders, business groups, lions & apex groups? invite 'em over feed 'em, let 'em know we're your mates, big smiles. put the suspicion away for a mo..that's wisdom
It seems so obvious, so necessary, why isn't it happening?
Hope to catch up with you one day mate
God Bless &Salams
Matthew Thistle (Mahdi Bin Doud)
Sharia means poor quality of life for women. That's the main thing you need to contend with. But who really cares about sharia, anyway. The main thing to consider is that we don't want anything to do with it in Australia. You can keep your sharia law and live with it as best you can. For our part, as Australians, we're happy with the political and religious settlement we've got. The less religion there is in public life, the better, as far as I'm concerned.
"our near-chronic laziness and inability to communicate our values to the broader Australian community"
You just don't get it, do you? We don't want your values. We don't need your values. We didn't have a problem with Islamic violence until Islam decided to travel West. We are fine with Judeo-Christian values, thankyou very much. If you don't agree with our values (you probably will find them less barbaric than sharia, after all we don't amputate hands and feet and stone people to death. We don't vilify women who've been raped by religious Muslim males). So keep your "values" to yourself. WE DON'T WANT THEM!!! Daahhhh.
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You just don't get it, do you? We don't want your values. We don't need your values. We didn't have a problem with Islamic violence until Islam decided to travel West. We are fine with Judeo-Christian values, thankyou very much. If you don't agree with our values (you probably will find them less barbaric than sharia, after all we don't amputate hands and feet and stone people to death. We don't vilify women who've been raped by religious Muslim males). So keep your "values" to yourself. WE DON'T WANT THEM!!! Daahhhh.
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