A Culture of Islamophobia in Australia?
The latest debates and demonstrations in Australian communities at the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast reveal two things: firstly, despite having never experienced a terrorist attack declared “in the name of Islam”, a lot of Australians maintain reservations towards Muslims; secondly, this public opinion is shaped by Australia's current government’s controversial refugee policy, provoking increasing generalising statements of racism and hate.
In named communities, development plans of mosques were answered with public demonstrations in front of the council buildings and social media hatred, including rape and death threats towards supporting council members. Where the mosque plans at the Gold Coast initially received a green light, the council voted shortly after (9:6) against the plans to transform a former industrial site into a mosque. Prior to this decision almost 8000 people had signed petitions opposing the plans, claiming that the early morning services would negatively influence their daily life and working abilities. According to Fairfax Media, 97% of the local population disagreed with the plans.
Social media began to rally and soon social media was flooded with Islamophobic comments. Only a brief glance at online news sites is needed to reveal the numerous Islamophobic comments below the articles. Opinions stretched from requests that "they" should build mosques in "their own countries" to inappropriate accusations of Muslims trying to taking over the world. A highly criticised Facebook page "Stop the Mosque" transformed into a public forum of Islamophobia. The creator was cited after the council's decision: "Any Muslim is welcome in my country. The simplest thing for a Muslim to do in my country is live as a Christian." Another Currumbin resident said that there would be places for everyone to be part of a community, "but unfortunately, in this instance, there is no one in our community that is going to go to that". The One Nation state president insisted that he was not racist but stated "what Muslim preaches violates the laws of my country. It is an ideological, political organisation wrapped up in a very thin skin of religion." He also claimed that there was not a single Western country that had anything apart from social issues after growing numbers of Muslim inhabitants.
Reasons for the council to finally reject the plans officially were issues of disruptions to parking and noise pollution, as well as community concern. Individual council members boasted about them listening to the people and translating their will into practice. However, a sour note remains. Officially town-planning grounds were named to be the reasons for rejection. But the local Islamic Society announced all requirements from the council were met.
I do not only blame the people but also the government for lacking to provide sufficient and informative education. The lack of such education adds to this growing Islamophobia. Schools let opportunities to inform about different religions, customs and beliefs slip away. Most people inform themselves by watching the "news" - the fact that advertisements announce in the morning what will be on the news that night tells it all. These are of course not the only omissions that may have the potential to impact opinion, yet they will no doubt contribute to influencing generations and the forming of a society, in which ignorant and intolerant groups are increasingly influential.
The fact is that the opposing council members claimed they had been listening to the will of the people. But sometimes one has to question what grounds this “will” is based on, if the will of the people is the will of all people and how far one will can limit another will?
Furthermore, the question arises what consequences the debate and increasing Islamophobia might have for a multicultural country such as Australia, who boasts of a democratic and open society.
Photo Credit: Megan Slade for The Courier Mail
