Acknowledging differences

Given these opposing views how can the rest of us bring about a meaningful dialogue between these two groups? How can stereotypes be broken down, and fear removed from each other’s religion?

Significant differences in the lifestyle and attitudes between the two religions are not to be side-stepped. Differences of interpretation towards social values and way of life should be acknowledged, respected and addressed without aiming at a fine compromise. Not because we no longer need a dialogue, but because “these different approaches have concrete implications to both communities living together in a shared place”.

The Australian-Muslim communities can play a role in bringing about various initiatives. A few ordinary and professional thinkers have become more publicly vocal and self-critical. Muslim thinkers are tilting in the direction of increased integration and participation in civic life. For example an Australian-Muslim academic, Kamal Siddiqi, notes that many of the overseas resident clerics who come to Australia have little knowledge of the local culture, and may inadvertently do a disservice to the community. He believes that not only do they replace home-grown ones but they continue to look to their home country to address local problems.

Clearly efforts to promote harmony on talk-back radio, in letters to the editor, book reviews, films, comedy festivals, public debates, or photographic displays have not been fully exhausted.

The flow of information and fair sense of play, I believe, is a two-way traffic. The ethnic Muslim communities and their press have been less sophisticated and more cut off from the mainstream cultural life. Today more names of second generation Muslim Australian writers and editors in the mainstream media should speed up this process. At the end of the day each community should ask: what are we doing to portray a better image of the other community?