Muslim Australians - Religion Cultural Diversity Resource Manual

Muslim population figures
» Of the 1300 million Muslims
in the world more than 80%
are non-Arab.
» A very large number of
Muslims live in Muslim
minority contexts. Muslims live
in almost all countries of the
world. Only two thirds of the
world’s Muslim population lives
in Muslim majority countries,
which number 56.
» There are significant Muslim
minorities in India, China,
Russia, European countries,
the United States and Canada.
Australia has a Muslim
minority numbering 281,578
according to the 2001 Census.
This means that Muslim minorities,
such as in Australia, are not unique.
In fact, throughout history, Muslims
have lived in minority contexts for
very long periods. Thus the sorts
of problems Muslim minorities in
Australia face should not be seen as
unique or unsolvable.
One of the major challenges for
Muslims living in Western countries
is adjusting traditional Islamic
norms to Western contexts. This is a
challenge which Australian Muslims
are facing as well. But it must be
remembered that this challenge
is being met remarkably well by
Muslims who have spent a good part
of their lives or lived all their lives in
Australia. In this, they are no different
from other Australian citizens. They
have adjusted their lifestyles, thinking
and practices to the Australian
context and its basic values and
systems. The theoretical discussions
on this issue among Muslims are
somewhat divorced from reality, as
happens at times in the relationship
between ideas and practice.
This is not to deny that there
are some Muslims who are not
comfortable with the idea of
adjustment. Some Muslims think
that it is their duty to establish
an Islamic state and implement
Islamic law wherever they are,
even in a minority context. This
is a misunderstanding of Islamic
teaching. In a Muslim-majority
country where the religion of Islam
is well established, it is natural for
the society to reflect the norms and
values of the religion. For Muslims
who live as minorities, it is their duty
to implement Islamic norms and
values in their individual lives as best
they can. A Muslim can function
as well in a minority situation as in
a majority situation. Some would
even argue that it is easier to live as
a Muslim in democratic countries
like Australia, which protect freedom
of religion, unlike in some Muslimmajority
countries which are ruled
as dictatorships or where religious
freedom is restricted.
For many Muslims living in
Australia, implementing religion
on an individual level can be very
important; for others being Muslim
is a cultural identity rather than
a religious one. Muslims who try
to observe the faith may need to
negotiate what is halal and haram
(what is permitted and what is
forbidden in Islam). These areas can
include food, banking, dress, and
taking time to pray. For example,
a Muslim should avoid pig meat
and alcohol when socialising with
non-Muslim friends and relatives.
Some Muslims may feel reluctant to
apply for loans and mortgages from
traditional Western interest-based
banks, because many Muslims believe
that charging interest is forbidden by
Islam. Muslims may adopt Islamic
forms of dress and appearance (such
as a beard for men and a headscarf
for women) and Muslim employees
may ask to perform obligatory
prayers at certain times during
the workday. Generally speaking,
Muslims who wish to observe the
beliefs and practices of Islam attempt
to do so where possible.
Muslim Australians:THEIR BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS 11