Sydney, March 24: A new Australian Human Rights Commission report warned of rising distrust and discrimination against Muslims in the community, urging for a pressing need to use education to reduce ignorance and fear about religions. “There is a current of anti-Muslim discourse that suggests an entrenched hostility often related to overseas events,” the report released by the Australian Human Rights Commission, was cited by Agence France Presse (AFP).
“Significant distrust of Muslims and Islam was expressed by some,” it added, saying there were reports of discrimination against Muslims and other religious minorities. The report entitled ‘Freedom of religion and belief in 21st century Australia’ found a greater recognition of spiritual communities in Australia was needed. It involved community consultations with 274 religious and secularist groups, and with governments, human rights groups, ethnic and city councils, plus more than 2000 public submissions.
The researchers referred to “high levels of ignorance by churches about Islam” as one of the main reasons behind demonization of Muslims by evangelical Christians. Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population. In post 9/11 Australia, Muslims have been haunted with suspicion and have had their patriotism questioned. A 2007 poll taken by the Issues Deliberation Australia (IDA) think-tank found that Australians basically see Islam as a threat to the Australian way of life. A recent governmental report revealed that Muslims are facing deep-seated Islamophobia and race-based treatment like never before.
EDUCATION
The report pointed to a pressing need to use education to reduce ignorance and fear about religions. “Faith in general, and specific faiths, are often misunderstood or feel misrepresented, and this report highlights the importance of faith to many Australians, and the central role faith plays in Australian society,” Hass Dellal, the director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation told the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. Dellal added that the report’s role was to record the varying views, so that every group could hear its own voice represented.
Showing the wide diversity of Australia and difficulties arising from it, the report showed hope that such difficulties will be solved. “Over the past 15 years – so it’s not a result of September 11 – religious voices have re-entered the political domain vigorously,” co-author Gary Bouma said. “It’s the resurgence of religion around the world – but it doesn’t mean people are going back to church.” The report concluded that the Australian Human Rights Commission needs to “foster a discussion about the place of religious rights alongside other rights”. It urged religious leaders to play a key role in overcoming ignorance about religion in the community. The report also called upon the commission to allow “for the view to be heard that religious rights are absolute, and then to allow that view to be tempered by other views”.
–Agencies