Gulf Down Under

AUSTRALIA’S Prime Minister John Howard finds himself in the eye of a storm after giving a long lecture to the Arab-Muslim community in the country. Just as every world leader worth his salt these days seems to have a condescending word of advice or two for the believers, Howard too pontificated to the community at length elaborating on liberal and religious values, tolerance and the minority community’s responsibilities towards the country of their choice.

Published: Wed 22 Feb 2006, 8:54 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 5:07 PM

Repeating his comments made in an interview for a new book marking his 10th anniversary in power, Howard said he was very ‘concerned’ about "extremist Muslim immigrants bent on Jihad who are antagonistic towards Australian society." The prime minister went on to argue that the ‘extreme Muslim attitudes towards women’ were also a problem.

No wonder Australia’s large Arab and Muslim community is upset by the prime minister’s remarks. The comments, coming as they do from the highest authority and leadership in the land, have come as a big shock to the minority community both for their timing and intemperate nature. As the Muslim community leaders rightly fear, such unabashedly jingoistic rhetoric targetting the groundlings of the right wing gallery could only further inflame the already volatile relations between the Muslims and the rest of the Australian society.

Considering the recent violent beach riots targeting the Arabs and how the government had a tough time restoring order and peace, it’s indeed surprising that the Australian leader should choose a time like this to wake up the sleeping dogs. Especially when the Muslims around the world are anguished and incensed over the Danish cartoons.

In crises like these, responsible and visionary leaders offer leadership and reason, not add fuel to fire by such reckless statements. Besides, for the acts of a few misguided individuals, you cannot condemn and demonise a whole community.

It needs to be pointed out that the Muslim community in Australia is already feeling under siege and marginalised thanks to the so-called and all-enveloping global ‘war on terror.’ By resorting to such plainly irresponsible and chauvinistic rhetoric, you would be playing on their sense of alienation and persecution complex.

Australia is not new to the Muslims. The community has been there for over 200 years and played an important role in the development and progress of Australia.

So, instead of playing on the Muslim insecurities, Australia’s leaders would do well to reach out to the community and encourage it to be part of the so-called mainstream in the true sense of the term. Aussie leaders and the Muslim community should bridge this gulf with sympathy, dialogue and understanding.