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New
Delhi, 10 August 2006
Every war is different and every clash will be different but it
looks like a clash between Muslims and others is coming and we do
not know how serious it will be. We asked a very astute
and
well read
Middle Eastern diplomat in New Delhi whether civil war would erupt
Iraq and his answer was, ‘there is already a civil war’. He felt
that Iraq would break up into Sunni and Shia regions and the West
would decide how.
The
UK had unearthed a diabolical plot to blow up several airliners
flying from UK to USA and now the Australians were getting tough
too. India had dilly dallied on a Uniform Civil Code and must now
think on how to cope with terrorism. India has 14% Muslims but we do
not see that percentage in social circles, clubs or the upper rungs
of the Armed Forces or bureaucracy or business circles. In fact
India's biggest business houses were not keen to employ them as they
had vegetarian values.
This means that the well educated and well off Muslims went to
Pakistan and we did not do much for those who chose to stay behind,
though the BJP says the Muslims themselves were to blame and we have
pampered them. For reasons not very clear the Minorities Commission
did not tackle this issue. India was free of Muslim–Hindu tensions
till recently, except in Kashmir, but now the Mumbai train blasts
have made us think differently. All know that in Mumbai such an
operation could not have been carried out by non Mumbaikars alone,
so again its time to think. Seema Mustaffa in Asian Age claims that
the Police is now going on rounds in Mumbai.
Australia has made it clear to those who want to live under Islamic
law to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in
a bid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after that a group
of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a
special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard. He and his
ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown.
Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted
that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if
they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws
were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want
a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia
is not for you," he said on national television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws
governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another
the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with
parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer
Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which
practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he
said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to
the other country
Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims
who did not want to accept local values should "clear off".
"Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and they don't
want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then
they can basically clear off," he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by
saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
“Immigrants, not Australians, must adapt. Take It Or Leave It! I am
tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some
individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali,
we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the
"politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility
that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against
immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a
better life by coming to Australia."
"However, there are a few things that those who have recently come
to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand."
"This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served
only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As
Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own
language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles,
trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought
freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic,
Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you
wish to become part of our society, then learn the language!"
"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right
wing, political push but a fact because Christian men and women, on
Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly
documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls
of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider
another part of the world as your new home, Because God is part of
our culture."
"We
will accept your beliefs and will not question why, all we ask is
that you accept ours and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with
us."
"If
the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then
you should seriously consider a move to another part of this
planet."
"We
are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we
really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all
means keep your culture but do not force it on others."
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow
you every opportunity to enjoy all this, but once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our
Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take
advantage of one other great Australian freedom, "THE RIGHT TO
LEAVE."
"If
you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here.
You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
"Pretty easy really, when you think about it. I figure if we all
keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner
or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please.”
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