Defending multiculturalism

The government now also officially acknowledges Islam as part of the religious diversity in Australia. In his recent lecture on Australian government's approaches to Islam at the University of Western Australia, Andrew Metcalfe, the secretary of Department of Immigration and Citizenship, points out that "the government is committed to protecting the rights of all people to express and practise their religion without intimidation, interference or harassment, as long as those practices comply with Australian law. "

Metcalfe identifies Jihadist terrorism still as "the most immediate threat to Australia" but also acknowledges the existence of "a small subculture of racist and nationalist extremists" with anti-Muslim views. And pointing to the Cronulla riots, he says "the government does not tolerate any racism or prejudice".

The secretary acknowledges that Islam has been linked to terrorism and the oppression of women globally; and that in Australia Muslims might face marginalization and alienation due to their religious identity. In particular in relation to the burka, which has often become the focus of Australian public debates, he concludes that "while some Australians find the burka confronting, banning the burka or any other form of religious dress in Australia would be inconsistent with our principles and traditions of religious freedom and tolerance."

The new national multicultural policy is a historical progressive step. But it is incomplete unless Australian society requires politicians and media commentators, who have the power to influence public opinion, not to stigmatise whole communities and spread hostility against them by distorting truth in the name of free speech. And the law should hold such people accountable for any inflammatory speech.

Although now the new multicultural policy aims to officially celebrate cultural diversity again and promote acceptance of differences in Australia,

in Europe multiculturalism and cultural diversity are still considered divisive approaches that can lead to separatism in society.

Tariq Madood, a well-known scholar on multiculturalism who is involved in the Defending Multiculturalism campaign in the UK, says multiculturalism is not "all about emphasizing difference and separatism. In fact it's about creating a new, ongoing 'We' out of all the little, medium-sized and large platoons that make up the country."

But in the face of increasing economic insecurity and social unrest, it seems conservative political leaders in Europe will keep making multiculturalism and Muslim minorities scapegoats for a long time.