Australia: A Shining Example Of Muslim Integration Into Society

June 10, 2008 21:17 PM

Australia: A Shining Example Of Muslim Integration Into Society

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Western nations should emulate Australia's policies to incorporate people into its society and give them fair treatment and equal rights, including those of Muslim background.

Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson said the Australian Government had taken several steps to integrate the Muslim population. Amongst the examples that Ferguson, a member of parliament, cited was the fact that the Australian Government would spend its taxpayers money to fund Islamic schools throughout the country, and that there were a multitude of mosques spread across the land Down Under.

"We allow Islamic schools throughout the country. In my electorate, there is an Islamic school. And these receive some government money, tax payer's money," he told Bernama while attending the 'Third International Conference On the Muslim World and the West: Bridging The Gap' here Tuesday.

Although admitting there were unemployment problems regarding the Muslim population in Australia, he said the government was taking steps to tackle the issue, especially since crime rates could be connected to unemployment.

"There's a connection yes (with the crime rate), people who are angry with society, people who feel that they have been left behind.

Ferguson also explained that the unemployment problems amongst the Muslim population was not due to religion nor ethnic-based but because of educational factor since Australia needed skilled workers to compete in today's global economy.

"Lot of skilled doctors, professionals, IT people who are Muslims, come from India and Pakistan. I think if you go to Australia and meet a whole lot of Malaysian Muslims, you'll find they are very successful, above average Australians.

-- BERNAMA