Muslim Australians - Religion Cultural Diversity Resource Manual

Muslim institutions such as
Islamic schools are an
obstacle to integration
Islamic schools are like any other
non-governmental faith-based
schools such as those run by Jews,
Catholics and Anglicans. They
offer the same curricula as do other
schools in Australia. The difference
between these Islamic schools
and other schools is that Islamic
schools teach a subject called Islamic
Religious Education. This should not
be an obstacle to integration. Even
if one accepts the view that it is an
obstacle, the fact is that a minority
of Muslim children go to Islamic
schools and by far most Muslim
students are in state schools or other
private schools.
Muslims have their own dress code and want to be different
The wearing of a headscarf or other garment by some Muslim women is given
as an example of Muslim difference. Not all Muslim women wear the scarf,
however. Even if they do, they are exercising their Australian freedom to wear
whatever they want. If Muslims want to cover more than other Australians,
this should not be seen as problematic. Just as Jewish men, in keeping with
their religious beliefs, may choose to wear a skull cap, or Sikh men may choose
to wear a turban, Muslim women should be able to wear a headscarf. Those
wearing the veil or scarf do so primarily because they believe it is their religious
duty to do so. Covering less or more of one’s body does not conflict with
fundamental Australian values. This is similar to the case of Australians who
are vegetarians. Vegetarians make a personal choice, and Muslim women who
wear a veil or scarf are also making a personal choice.
Some people also believe that women are forced to wear a veil by their
husbands or fathers. Except in a small number of cases, this is not true in
Australia. Most Muslim women who wear a headscarf or veil are doing so
out of their personal conviction, not because they are forced to. In fact, the
headscarf is usually viewed in a very positive light by many Muslim women,
even if they do not wear it themselves.
Recently an Australian politician questioned whether the traditional Islamic
dress called a chador should be banned in public places on the basis that it
might be possible for the person wearing it to conceal weapons or bombs.
Many Australian leaders and spokespeople were rightly outraged at the
suggestion. They felt that this attitude questioned a fundamental right of
Australians to practise the religion of their choosing, and to express themselves
in their choice of clothing. Some even pointed out that, if the suggestion was
taken seriously, a whole range of items would have to be banned, including
cars, handbags, briefcases and baby carriages. Muslims felt that their right to
peacefully practise their faith was being questioned, and that a link was unjustly
being made in the public mind between terrorism and Muslim women.
70 Muslim Australians:THEIR BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS