A few days ago, Australian Prime Minister John Howard spoke out against Muslims who refuse to integrate into Australian society by not learning English, and not doing enough to adhere to Australian customs of equality for women. The response has been entirely predictable.
Islamic leaders are trying to gag Prime Minister John Howard from speaking out against Muslims who refuse to integrate, threatening that any criticism of their culture could lead to another race riot.
But Mr Howard refused to back down – writing exclusively in today’s Saturday Daily Telegraph that he believes a minority of Muslims must do more to fit in here.
The head of Mr Howard’s own Muslim advisory council, Dr Ameer Ali, yesterday tried to shut down debate on whether Muslims should learn English and treat women as equals by raising the spectre of the shameful Cronulla riots.
Dr Ali warned: “We have already witnessed one incident in Sydney, in Cronulla. I don’t want these scenes to be repeated because when you antagonise the younger generation they are bound to react.”
Exactly the point that Prime Minister Howard is making. There are certain things that might be acceptable in Muslim countries – such as perpetrating violence in response to things you do not like – which are not acceptable in Western countries like Australia.
I would suggest that the Islamic leadership in Australia is part of the problem, given that they are threatening violence, rather than preaching tolerance to their communities, and emphasizing the democratic means for expressing their opposition.
