P
PVodogaz
Guest
The following is from www.news.com.au, an online Australian news website with some interesting and conflict causing comments from Prime Minister John Howard
Muslims not singled out: PMBy staff writers and wires
September 01, 2006 03:11pm
Article from: Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
PRIME Minister John Howard has denied he was singling Muslims out for criticism over the way some immigrants fail to integrate into Australian society.
Mr Howard sparked controversy yesterday by saying on talk-back radio a small group of Muslim migrants had refused to accept their adopted country's values and had not learned English.
The Prime Minister said today he had no reason to apologise or water down those remarks.
"There's a small section of the Islamic population which is unwilling to integrate," he said.
"And I have said, generally, all migrants ... they have to integrate, and that means speaking English as quickly as possible, it means embracing Australian values and it also means making sure that no matter what the culture of the country from which they come might have been, Australia requires women to be treated fairly and equally and in the same fashion as men.
"And if any migrants that come into this country have a different view, they better get rid of that view very quickly.
"I don't retreat in any way from that. It doesn't involve singling out a group."
Riot risk
In the wake of Mr Howard's comments yesterday the chairman of the Government's Islamic advisory committee, Dr Ameer Ali, has warned of more Cronulla-style riots unless the Prime Minister tones down his rhetoric on Muslim migrants.
"We have already witnessed one incident in Sydney recently in Cronulla, I don't want these scenes to be repeated because when you antagonise the younger generation, younger group, they are bound to react," Dr Ali said to Macquarie Radio.
Readers react
NEWS.com.au has today received a barrage of reaction from readers to the Prime Minister's comments.
Many readers were wholly approving: "John Howard is simply stating the bleeding obvious" wrote Paul. "I know the vast silent majority fully support this idea," said Phil, while Mark said: "We were all thinking it and he had the balls to say it".
A common argument was voiced by Rob of Sydney, "If Westerners travel to Islamic countries, we are encouraged to dress and behave conservatively out of respect for our hosts - and fair enough. Can we not expect the same?"
Another common thread wondered about the motivation of migration. Jason wrote: "Generally people come to australia to escape the life they lived in these countries. So why do they insist on continuing to live as if they were still there?"
Some readers thought Muslims were doing themselves no favours. "The Islamic Council does a pretty good job of marginalising the entire Muslim community themselves, they don't need any help from the rest of us," wrote Jody.
A number of respondents pointed to the efforts of previous migrant communities, "Chinese, Italian, Greek immigrants have learned English, and have fitted in and are now celebrated and accepted. All new immigrants have this obligation," commented Nate
Some readers however thought Muslims were being singled out unfairly
"Why single out muslims? There are other migrants who have been here for more than 50 years and can't speak English properly," wrote FK.
Others thought the Prime Minister was misinformed: "Muslim women have had rights granted to them by religion that have only been gained by protest and violence in other parts of the world," wrote Kerry.
Some alleged hypocrisy: "Little Johnny whining that Muslims should embrace Oz culture. I guess he got this great idea from the example Australia has set by embracing Aboriginal culture and language. Idiot!!" said Robert Peter.
------------------------------------
Would like people' thoughts about this, especially folks in the UK and US.
Muslims not singled out: PMBy staff writers and wires
September 01, 2006 03:11pm
Article from: Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
PRIME Minister John Howard has denied he was singling Muslims out for criticism over the way some immigrants fail to integrate into Australian society.
Mr Howard sparked controversy yesterday by saying on talk-back radio a small group of Muslim migrants had refused to accept their adopted country's values and had not learned English.
The Prime Minister said today he had no reason to apologise or water down those remarks.
"There's a small section of the Islamic population which is unwilling to integrate," he said.
"And I have said, generally, all migrants ... they have to integrate, and that means speaking English as quickly as possible, it means embracing Australian values and it also means making sure that no matter what the culture of the country from which they come might have been, Australia requires women to be treated fairly and equally and in the same fashion as men.
"And if any migrants that come into this country have a different view, they better get rid of that view very quickly.
"I don't retreat in any way from that. It doesn't involve singling out a group."
Riot risk
In the wake of Mr Howard's comments yesterday the chairman of the Government's Islamic advisory committee, Dr Ameer Ali, has warned of more Cronulla-style riots unless the Prime Minister tones down his rhetoric on Muslim migrants.
"We have already witnessed one incident in Sydney recently in Cronulla, I don't want these scenes to be repeated because when you antagonise the younger generation, younger group, they are bound to react," Dr Ali said to Macquarie Radio.
Readers react
NEWS.com.au has today received a barrage of reaction from readers to the Prime Minister's comments.
Many readers were wholly approving: "John Howard is simply stating the bleeding obvious" wrote Paul. "I know the vast silent majority fully support this idea," said Phil, while Mark said: "We were all thinking it and he had the balls to say it".
A common argument was voiced by Rob of Sydney, "If Westerners travel to Islamic countries, we are encouraged to dress and behave conservatively out of respect for our hosts - and fair enough. Can we not expect the same?"
Another common thread wondered about the motivation of migration. Jason wrote: "Generally people come to australia to escape the life they lived in these countries. So why do they insist on continuing to live as if they were still there?"
Some readers thought Muslims were doing themselves no favours. "The Islamic Council does a pretty good job of marginalising the entire Muslim community themselves, they don't need any help from the rest of us," wrote Jody.
A number of respondents pointed to the efforts of previous migrant communities, "Chinese, Italian, Greek immigrants have learned English, and have fitted in and are now celebrated and accepted. All new immigrants have this obligation," commented Nate
Some readers however thought Muslims were being singled out unfairly
"Why single out muslims? There are other migrants who have been here for more than 50 years and can't speak English properly," wrote FK.
Others thought the Prime Minister was misinformed: "Muslim women have had rights granted to them by religion that have only been gained by protest and violence in other parts of the world," wrote Kerry.
Some alleged hypocrisy: "Little Johnny whining that Muslims should embrace Oz culture. I guess he got this great idea from the example Australia has set by embracing Aboriginal culture and language. Idiot!!" said Robert Peter.
------------------------------------
Would like people' thoughts about this, especially folks in the UK and US.
