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| Down Under |
| Aus Muslim outrage at citizen test |
| 2007-05-18 |
| MUSLIMS are outraged that prospective citizens will have to acknowledge the Judeo-Christian tradition as the basis of Australia's values system. Australia's peak Muslim body said the proposed citizenship question - revealed in the Herald Sun - was disturbing and potentially divisive. Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Dr Ameer Ali said the "Abrahamic tradition" or "universal values" would be less divisive ways of describing the nation's moral base. Dr Ali said use of the term Judeo-Christian was the result of "WWII guilt", and before 1945 Australia would have been called only Christian. "That question must be rephrased," he said. Dr Ali was backed by Democrats senator Lyn Allison, who said the answer to the question was highly debatable. But Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews stood firm on the merit of the question. Mr Andrews said Australia's Judeo-Christian heritage was indisputable historical fact. "We are not asking people to subscribe to the Judeo-Christian ethic," he said. "We are simply stating a fact that this is part of the heritage of Australia in terms of its foundation. "This is not an exercise in political correctness. It is trying to state what has been the case and still is the case." But Health Minister Tony Abbott confused the issue, saying the modern Australian values system was secular, or of no particular religion. The Herald Sun yesterday revealed 20 key questions, developed in consultation with Mr Andrews, that are likely to be asked of would-be citizens. Mr Andrews said the test, to begin by September, would help immigrants integrate into society better. "We celebrate diversity and people are free to continue their own traditions, but we are also very insistent that we have to build and maintain social cohesion," he said. Dr Ali said he would request a meeting with Mr Andrews to discuss the question. "It is the wrong message we are sending," he said. Senator Allison said the test was pointless. "I don't see what it's going to achieve," she said. "It doesn't say anything about people's character, whether they are going to be good citizens." Opposition immigration spokesman Tony Burke said Labor agreed in principle with the test, but wanted details. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #8 Key question is..are they outraged enough to pack it up and go back where they came from ? |
| Posted by: Woozle Elmeter2970 2007-05-18 20:42 |
| #7 LH, if there was, he wasn't being very vocal about it. |
| Posted by: Mac 2007-05-18 20:32 |
| #6 now wait a minute. The guards and officials were all christians afaik. The only Jews present at Oz' founding were criminals (usually of the nonviolent variety, AFAIK) Surely, in all those thousands of pickpockets, thugs, petty thieves, swindlers, etc, etc there has to have been at least ONE muslim? |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2007-05-18 20:03 |
| #5 #4: "All the There - fixed that for ya', Oz. (BTW, I changed "Muslim" because I save the respect of that appellation for normal people like the friends I have who just happen to follow that particular religion, but don't think everyone else should be forced to; don't care if we drink alcohol or eat pork - even in front of them; don't care how other people dress; don't hate Jews; etc. They're better Americans than a lot of native-born non-Muslim Americans. Starting with the vast majority of the dhimmi-Donks.) |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-05-18 19:47 |
| #4 All the Muslims ever do over here is whine and complain, bang their heads against brick walls, and stomp their feet and throw their arms in the air when they don't get their own way. What a bunch of unwelcomed losers. |
| Posted by: Oztralian 2007-05-18 18:40 |
| #3 Oh, well. I guess it's back to Pakistan with you then... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-05-18 17:02 |
| #2 Australia's peak Muslim body said the proposed citizenship question - revealed in the Herald Sun - was disturbing and potentially divisive. The more divisiveness the better. I want blue water between me and Orc ideology. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-05-18 16:50 |
| #1 MUSLIMS are outraged. Well, that's never happened before! Australia's peak Muslim body said the proposed citizenship question - revealed in the Herald Sun - was disturbing and potentially divisive. Of course, Muslims are never devisive. Really! Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Dr Ameer Ali said the "Abrahamic tradition" or "universal values" would be less divisive ways of describing the nation's moral base. Is that because Christ wasn't around in the time of Abraham? Dr Ali said use of the term Judeo-Christian was the result of "WWII guilt", and before 1945 Australia would have been called only Christian. Bingo! Finally, blame it on all the guilt Westerners feel over the Holocaust that never happened. Didn't see that one coming at all. "That question must be rephrased," he said. Whassamatter, insufficient dawa quotient? Dr Ali was backed by Democrats senator Lyn Allison, who said the answer to the question was highly debatable. For a democrat, yes it probably is. "This is not an exercise in political correctness. Well, at least not for Mr. Andrews. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-05-18 14:52 |