Debunking myths about Muslims in Australia

No. 19, 1 February 2006

by Edmund Rice Centre

Words like ‘jihad,’ names like Osama bin Laden and organisations such as Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah have come to overshadow what is a religion of many perspectives, whose teachings embrace peace, human rights and tolerance. Here, we challenge common misconceptions about Muslim Australians and Islam.

Myth 1: Muslims are a security threat

Terrorism has been with us in many forms for many years. In 1995 the Okalahoma city bombing killed 168 people and injured many more. This attack was conducted by Timothy McVeigh, a Christian Anglo-American, disgruntled at his government’s actions. The Provisional Irish Republican Army and Protestant militant groups in Northern Ireland show that terrorism has been used by many groups who feel oppressed. These are not the product of religious doctrine but use religion as a defence in their struggles. Terrorist organisations recruit victims of oppression, inequality and exploitation.

Myth 2: Muslims are extremists and preach violence

Jihad does not mean “holy war,” but refers to “any action by which one makes sincere and conscious effort for a collective benefit” according to Afroz Ali from the al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences. In the teachings of the Qur’an, Jihad is referred to more directly in other aspects of human existence which include the striving “of parents as nurturer of their off-springs”, “against selfish desires”, and “to learn and spread beneficial knowledge”. The thrust of the teachings is “in complete contrast to the claims of hatred, terrorism and perpetual war.” [1]

Quoting literally from any sacred text can be misleading, since passages can be chosen selectively and taken out of context. Interpretations of the Qur’an from different factions of Islam, and the media response in recent years have shaped the image that all Muslims are fundamentalists. The vast majority of Muslims are politically moderate or conservative, focusing on family and community. They condemn a fundamentalist interpretation of the Qur’an just as many Christians reject a fundamentalist reading of the Bible.

Myth 3: Muslims don’t integrate into Australian society

The argument for lack of integration into Australian society is not new. It has been raised for many migrant groups including Irish Catholics. The ‘White Australia’ and assimilation policies have been progressively dismantled since the 1960s as Australia recognised that its immigration program and policy of diversity had produced a vibrant society.

The reality of multiculturalism is not a threat to national identity but an asset. Multiculturalism affects the dominant culture slowly and marginally, mainly through such cultural expressions as food. It is immigrant culture which is eroded more. Second generation migrants may still ‘look’ different and be proud of their cultural heritage but they ‘sound’ Aussie and proudly identify themselves as Australian. American culture is probably a greater threat to Australian national identity because of its domination of global media. Muslims from all over the world have a long history of making significant contributions to Australian society, indeed to Western civilization, particularly in the fields of science, mathematics and medicine.

Myth Four: Islam does not respect human rights

Many Islamic scholars argue that it was Islam that 1400 years ago liberated women, bestowing rights such as the right to own property, when women elsewhere were still seen as chattels with no rights of their own. Like all religions, interpretations are diverse with great difference for example between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. There have been several prominent female Presidents of Muslim countries, such as Megawati Sukarnoputri in Indonesia and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan.

One of the main interpretations of the Qur’an’s guidance on dress is modesty for both men and women. Many Muslim women wear the hijab by choice and in accordance with their beliefs and customs. The United Muslim Women’s Association refers to wearing the hijab as a matter of personal preference, an affirmation of their liberty and not a sign of subjugation. Many younger Muslim women are proud to wear the hijab as a testimony to their faith. Women in the West are also subject to many pressures to conform to body images determined by the fashion and advertising industries.

Many nations have a poor record of human rights and some of these have a majority Muslim population. Significantly, many Muslim Australian women also condemn the mistreatment of women in Islamic countries such as Iran, Nigeria or Saudi Arabia, arguing that discrimination of women is not part of the teachings of the Qur’an. Human Rights is seriously breached in many western countries, including Australia in its mistreatment of refugees. This is evidence that the failure to uphold fundamental human rights is a global problem.

Myth 5: Islam is opposed to the Western world and modernity

Many prominent Muslims model a progressive modern Islam. World champion boxer Muhammad Ali, champion basketball player Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, Malaysian academic Chandra Muzaffar, US academic Dr Zakir Naik and American rapper Tupac Shakoor are but a few. Malaysian academic Chandra Muzaffar argues that it is the reformist parties in Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that have the most support among the masses. Despite the control and authority that has been imposed by some narrow minded elements of Islam, the Islam of the masses is based upon a more universal approach where women and minorities are regarded as equal. [2]

The major challenge for many Muslim communities concerns western cultural values such as individualism and popular culture. In the midst of consumerism and globalisation many Muslims in western countries like Australia are trying to reassert the “essence of Islam” while also adapting to global change. Such critical reflection of Australian society and all societies is legitimate and healthy. There will always be differences of view in ideology in the modern world, particularly between individual liberties and the greater good of a community, or between traditions and modernity. Through accepting and respecting cultural, religious and social difference, the opportunity exists for a more cohesive society.

A longer version of this article was produced by the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education (http://www.erc.org.au/just_comments/pdf/1131689123.pdf). Used by permission. Thanks to Muslim Women’s Association and al Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences.

References

[1] Afroz Ali, “Jihad in the Australian Context,” United Muslim Women’s Association website, www.mwa.org.au
[2] Muzaffar, http://pbs.org.frontline

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