From Multiculturalism to Inclusion: Countering ISIS Ideology Maryum Chaudhry Omar Haniffa

“How quick people are to condemn things they don’t understand.” Lady Aishah, the wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

Islam is not the problem. Muslims have been here for over 3 centuries We weren’t the ones known for violence. What changed in the last 25 years? Young People reacting. Global Injustice Developing Identity Patrick Dudon (WA, Broome) writes about the Macassan Muslims and the people of Arnhemland: “Two cultures that sustained a co equal relationship for three centuries without ever having fought a war, they never sought to establish government over the other, they traded and engaged in commerce as business partners and never felt so insecure in their own culture  that they needed to destroy or diminish the cultural symbols of the other. By the end of the 19th century the colonial authorities in Northern Australia were so worried about the relationship between the Macassans and the Arnhemlanders (Yolgnu) and its strength that the Macassans were banned from northern waters and the trade between the two cultures was deemed illegal. Perhaps if the model of engagement established by the Muslims of Macassa and the Aboriginal people of Northern Australia had been adopted by the English when they decided to invade in 1788 then the history between us all over the past 220 years may have been a very different story.” Sol Bellear: “All of the people who have come to these lands have integrated well into Australian society. All of them except for one. It wasn’t these minorities who committed the massacres. It wasn’t these minorities who poisoned our waterholes. They haven’t raped our women and stolen our children. The British did that. Eventually, of course, our nation will come to understand that the minorities it persecutes pose no real threat. Fadlullah Wilmot: Just as these problems will not be solved by ISIS or its ilk nor will they be solved by western invasions, bombing and drones nor by oppressing Palestinians and denying them their rights nor by dictators and oppressive regimes that abuse human rights in the name of stability. You do not stab a man in the back and ask him why he’s upset at you. You a) respect him. B) if you’ve already caused hurt, then you own the responsibility to heal. So who do you want young people to turn to – when they’re hurting, and are told to be silent.

Moving Forward Together Us MAV What does it mean to be Australian? Grassroots Anti-Drug Movement Giving People Purpose Challenge Racism in your personal spaces. Diversify culture in communal spaces Do Islam Educate inner and outer circles of our community on the non- ideological reality of Islam. Engage actively with other Australian communities Reference to John Newton’s book, “Oldest Foods on Earth”. Redefining Australia: White Australia isn’t the only norm. current day White Australia needs to own it’s past: ““But it’s very easy to apologise for other people’s mistakes. The Australian public would have a lot more confidence in politicians who apologised for their own mistakes rather than the mistakes of others.”

“Ignorance of each other is what has made unity impossible in the past “Ignorance of each other is what has made unity impossible in the past. Therefore we need enlightenment. We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity. Once we have more knowledge (light) about each other, we will stop condemning each other.” Malcolm X