Far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders could learn a lot about the strengths of multiculturalism during his Australian visit, community and religious leaders say.

Mr Wilders will give speeches in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth this month about what he calls the "Islamisation of Australia".

A coalition of 24 groups – including the AFL and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne – issued a joint statement in Melbourne on Monday, reinforcing their support for Victoria's "multicultural and multifaith community".

"We have a collective responsibility to respect our fellow citizens and preserve the social cohesion and harmony that characterise Victoria and makes our society great," the statement says. "We welcome challenging ideas and debate, however, inciting hatred and animosity towards specific cultural or faith-based communities has no place in Victoria."

State Multicultural Affairs Minister Nicholas Kotsiras says Mr Wilders could learn a lot from his visit to the state. "I find it amazing that someone could travel 16,000 kilometres to tell us why he and his party have failed in his own country," he told reporters in Melbourne. "If he wants to come to learn and to educate himself about the success of multiculturalism and diversity, Victoria is the place to be."

AAP, 18 February 2013

See also "Cold reception for anti-Islam campaigner", SBS, 18 February 2013

There will be protests against Wilders' visit in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

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White supremacists are urging Australian "patriots" to gather at public meetings by the controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders, ready for trouble and a no-holds barred fight.

Tensions have been mounting over the impending visit of the far right-wing politician who has been accused of Islamophobia and racism.

One group, Australian New Nation, has been encouraging followers to react to any threat or sign of violence from Muslim protesters who might attend.

On its website, the group has posted an audio from "Radio Free Australia, the voice of white revolution in Australia" warning them to "expect an Islamic rent-a-crowd outside screaming and foaming at the mouth like the evil bastards they are".

"We encourage all patriots to exercise their legal right of self defence if any ragheads try to prevent them accessing the venue, or threaten, or use violence against their person once they try to strike the first blow, everything that follows is self defence on your part," it said.

The vitriolic broadcast, which lasts almost 10 minutes, goes on to say, "go . . . and be prepared to defend yourself and if they take a swing at you, they push at you, they spit on you, don't hold back. You have a legal right of self defence do what should be done to this rag-head camel f--- . . . Islamic filth who have no place in civilised society.

Social media sites protesting against Mr Wilders's visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have also been the target of hate messages.

The Age, 2 February 2013

In response the Q Society, the "counterjihad" group at whose invitation Wilders is visiting Australia, have issued a press release trying to distance themselves from threats of violence.

"Any anti-Islam protests or demonstrations are not associated with Q Society in any way...," they state piously. "Q Society and Geert Wilders distance themselves from any white supremacism and racism in all forms; as we distance ourselves from all groups advocating violence."

The Q Society has invited a raving anti-Muslim bigot to visit Australia in order to incite fear and hatred of Islam, but apparently they have no responsibility whatsoever for any anti-Muslim violence that his visit may inspire.

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Dutch anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders will visit Australia next month.

The right-wing MP was due to visit in October but was forced to postpone because the federal government took its time deciding whether to approve his visa.

Tour organisers Q Society – a group concerned about the so-called "Islamisation of Australia" – have now announced Mr Wilders will speak in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in February.

"The Australian experiment of multiculturalism is failing in relation to Islam, just as it has failed everywhere else," the group says on the event website. Australians are being misled to believe Islam is 'just another religion' – when it is in fact much more."

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has condemned Mr Wilders' extremist views but ultimately decided not to use his ministerial discretion to block his visa.

AAP, 16 January 2013

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Islamic finance has been around for a considerable length of time. The boom has been exponentially expanding after the oil blast of the 1970s.. It has developed as one of the best developing sections on the worldwide budgetary aids scene. Consistent with Ernst & Young’s inaugural World Islamic Banking Competitiveness Report 2011-2012, Islamic people keeping money internationally is expected to reach US $1.1 trillion for the present year (an ascent of 33% from 2010 levels).

In September 2008, the Government created an article on how to position Australia as a way to advance money related utilities centers in the Asia-Pacific area. The consequence was the Johnson Report, which made various suggestions incorporating two particular proposals identifying with administrative boundaries and expense medication issues influencing the improvement of Islamic finance. The Government has undertaken different drives to investigate this rising business sector, including sending a designation in April 2010 headed by Minister Nick Sherry (the Assistant Treasurer around then) to the Middle East to investigate the chances for Australia.

The measured improvement of Islamic finance in Australia is basically because of education and regulation. The foremost challenge for the government is training. That is, instructing Australia’s Muslim and non-Muslim people to grasp what Islamic finance is, and what chances it exhibits to Australia’s monetary aids area.

Part one of this developing businesses article intends to aid in the ‘education’ process by introducing Islamic finance. Part two will turn toward the regulation and the troubles it carries to improving Islamic finance in Australia.

WHAT IS ISLAMIC FINANCE AND HOW IS IT DIFFER FROM CONVENTIONAL FINANCE?

Islamic finance is basically an investment framework dependent upon exchange and financing standards, recommending moral and ethical contemplations. Numerous see it as a subset of moral or socially mindful contributing.

A nexus recognizing headline of Islamic finance is that cash should be produced from authentic exchange or budgetary actions. Cash would not be able to be created out of cash. In that capacity, Islamic finance prohibits the accruing of investment (trade of the thought of ‘profit’ for exchange exercises) and requires that fortune ought to be attained in legal ways elevating common convenience, trustworthiness and goodwill. The aforementioned “Shariah” standards separate Islamic finance from traditional finance.

“Shariah” points to consistence with Islamic lawful standards. These standards are principally determined from:

(a) The Qur’an

(b) The customs of the Prophet Mohammed reputed to be “Hadith”.

About the author

My name is Shoaib Ali and I am a professional article and content writer. I am currently doing my engineering and working on freelance as well. Writing is my passion and exploring new horizons in the field of writing is my aim.

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New look

Today we are well aware about smoking and its injurious effect to health. It can cause lung cancer, mouth cancer and emphysema. Although, it is allowed in all countries, many of them discourage smoking due to its health hazardous effects. The ministry of health in many countries has also taken some steps to prevent smoking in many different ways. Many new laws, rules and regulations have been introduced to minimize or even control it. Same as other countries, the Australian government, also has taken some steps and introduced some laws to decrease or diminish smoking.

The new law bans the cigarette companies from making the pack colorful and putting logos on them. The younger generation seems to be much interested in charming colors, new styles and appealing images. So the beauty of the cigarette pack also plays a major role in its sale. Most of the young people start smoking only as a fashion statement but later on they get addicted to it. According to estimates if people do not start smoking till the age of 26 then there is a 99 percent chance that they will never start it. The Australian law also enforces the manufacturers to put only the name of the manufacturing company on the side of the pack. They are forced to use the images or pictures of the diseases caused by the cigarettes and describe the warning messages on packs, as well.

The manufacturers, dealers and the distributors are against these laws. One of the distributors in central Sydney, James Yu, stated that the distributors are going to face many difficulties because of the new packing. All the cigarette packs have the picture of diseased body parts and ill babies with same drab olive green color. Also it makes very difficult to know the different brand of the same company. The public’s reaction is varied to the new law. Some people support and favor these laws while some are against it. But the parents have positively appreciated this movement of the government. Present government of Australia is concentrating to reduce the consumption of cigarettes. Therefore, new laws are designed for this purpose. It is also necessary for companies to make the cigarette pack simple. They cannot use charming colors, designs and styles to attract the young generation.

Cigarette companies are forced to put the names and images of diseases caused by smoking on the packets. These warning messages will help to warn the people of the side effects of smoking. Therefore, this act of Australian government will prove effective for Australian people because health is most important to all.

 

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In Australia, people can express their beliefs and practise their religion without fear and interference. The Muslim population is as diverse as the population of Australia in terms of their natural heritage, customs and traditions. They represent less than two percent of the total population of Australia. Almost 40 percent of the Muslim population were born here. There are Muslims who have migrated from over 70 countries. The three main languages spoken by them at home are Arabic, Turkish and English.

Muslims can choose to become citizens of Australia, which gives them certain rights and places obligations on them as well. A wide-range research on the relations between Muslims and Non-Muslims was conducted over a period of two years. There has been a proliferation of misperceptions and lack of understanding between them. This can lead to ‘fear’ of the other and influence judgement. Stereotypes and prejudices widens the division between them not just in Australia but globally as well.

The international political issues and Australia’s foreign policy towards the Middle East are seriously and intently observed by the Muslim community here. There is a lot of discontent and frustration because of the lack of resolution on the Israel-Palestine conflict and ongoing suffering of the Palestine people; this affects the attitude of the Australian Muslim community towards the West.

The Media has played a huge role in perpetuating misunderstandings and misconceptions about Islam to the West which are not true of all Muslims. The best way to remove such misunderstandings is communication and learning and getting to know each other. There is the willingness on both sides to learn more about each other and co-exist in peace and harmony.

About the author

dpreeju

I am a freelance proofreader and editor residing in Melbourne, Australia. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Actuarial Science, but it was my passion for the written word that brought me to the editing world. I am honored to be a part of this team that works together to provide a medium of communication to the Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in order to eliminate any misgivings or misunderstandings between them.

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HISTORY

Islam touched  Australian soil long before British settlement in 1788, when Muslim fishermen from Makassar (today, a part of Indonesia) reached the shores of North-Western Australia. Some of them died en route to Australia and had to be buried according to the Islamic burial regulations, facing Mecca, in Australia. Aboriginal cave paintings and religious ceremonies that depict and have adopted Makassan canoe designs and words are evidences of this incident.

In later history, other Muslims including Muslim ‘Afghan’ cameleers arrived, who used their camels to transport goods and people through the harsh, unnavigable deserts. The first Mosque was built in Marree, South Australia in 1861. The presence of wild camels in the outback and the Central Adelaide Mosque (the first mosque built in Australia) remains a legacy of this bygone era.

Since the late 1960s significant migration of Muslims took place especially from Turkey and Lebanon. And in the 1990s, migrants and refugees from various places such as Africa, Iran, Iraq, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan arrived in Australia.

RECENT TIMES

According to the latest figures, Australia is home to more than 475,000 Muslims, who make up about two-and-a-quarter percent of the national population. They are free to practice their religion as can be seen from the numerous mosques built all over Australia. Muslims have the liberty to celebrate all of their festivals.

The First Islamic Museum in Australia (IMA) is being built in Thornbury, Melbourne. It is due to open by end of 2013 or early 2014. It will embody the rich artistic heritage and historical contributions of Muslims in Australia and abroad.

About the author

dpreeju

I am a freelance proofreader and editor residing in Melbourne, Australia. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Actuarial Science, but it was my passion for the written word that brought me to the editing world. I am honored to be a part of this team that works together to provide a medium of communication to the Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in order to eliminate any misgivings or misunderstandings between them.

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Immigration Minister Chris Bowen will not block the visit of Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, claiming Australia is robust enough to withstand his strong anti-Islamist views.

Writing in The Australian today, Mr Bowen says Mr Wilders is wrong and his views are offensive. "To read his writings is to be struck by their ignorance and their wrong-headed views of other people's beliefs," Mr Bowen says.

Mr Wilders is the founder and leader of the Party for Freedom in The Netherlands and he has campaigned to stop what he claims is the "Islamisation" of his country. His strong views saw him charged in The Netherlands with incitement to hatred and discrimination but he was acquitted in June last year.

Mr Wilders is scheduled to give two speeches in Australia this month and he applied for a visa in August. Members of his staff and police assigned to protect him received visas within three days but Mr Wilders has been waiting until now.

In his piece today, the minister says it has been accurately reported in recent weeks that Mr Wilders has applied for a visa to undertake speaking engagements in Australia.

"Mr Wilders is a provocateur who no doubt revels in the spotlight and would like nothing more than to be denied entry to Australia and garner his cause more attention," Mr Bowen says.

"I have decided not to intervene to deny him a visa because I believe that our democracy is strong enough, our multiculturalism robust enough and our commitment to freedom of speech entrenched enough that our society can withstand the visit of a fringe commentator from the other side of the world," Mr Bowen says.

He says the way to deal with extremist commentators like Mr Wilders is to defeat his ideas with the force of arguments and not by denying him entry into Australia.

"Mr Wilders and people who agree with him are very simply wrong in their beliefs. But in a democracy such as Australia's, you are entitled to be wrong, as long as you don't vilify people or encourage and incite violence. This man, like others who have visited Australia on speaking tours, are subject to Australian law."

The Australian, 2 October 2012

See also "Geert Wilders delays Australia trip to next year", Dutch News, 1 October 2012

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