Churches joining Islamophobia stirring: Australia should stay secular society
The Camden Christian leaders today entered the Muslim community bashing ring by joining forces to try influencing the judicial system and stop the building of an Islamic school in the area. The churches even went further in spreading Islamphobia by accusing Islam of being “incompatible with the Australian way of life”.
“In doing this, the churches themselves are violating the fundamental basis of the Australian way of life by abandoning secularism” said Jamal Daoud, spokesperson of Social Justice Network (SJN). “The combined efforts by different churches were aimed at influencing the judicial system, in a move reminding us of medieval dark ages.”
Though this move is a stark violation of secularism in this country, the Churches could not give one shred of evidence to support the serious allegations they made against the Muslim community and Islam faith in general. These claims by churches would have serious setbacks for the serious efforts by many interfaith dialogues and community leaders to counteract racism and Islamophobia.
The letter did not mention any objections to building the school for development reasons. It also gave no indication on the impact on environment or noise. All that was mentioned in the letter was merely based on prejudice and racist feelings and opinions.
The seriousness of the allegations that it could result in widening the gap between the different communities in the area, and in Australia in general. This could result in other new Cronulla-like incidents and violence.
“The network is deeply disappointed by the complete silence from all political parties represented in the parliament and their failure to take any step to counteract these destructive allegations and claims” added Mr Daoud. “Even the so-called progressive small parties, who got a big slice of Muslim votes in the last elections, were deadly silent on this serious issue”.
“This complete silence should not surprise us. These parties made other Anti-Muslim allegations earlier, especially in the case of Bass Hill Islamic school. The community should remember this deadly silence, which amounts to complacency in the face of spreading Islamophobia and racism, when these political parties later start to hand out leaflets outside Muslim mosques during the next elections”
The network deeply condemns this letter and this violation to the basis of its incompatability with the Australian secular system. The network would support every step to counteract these destructive sentiments and allegations.
For more information, Jamal Daoud can be contacted on 0424 163 667
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