Originally Posted by
Joemeek
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told
on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted
radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty
to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John
Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a
crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard,
hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if
they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws
were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a
country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is
not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two
laws governing people in Australia : one the Australian law and another
Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law,
independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the
opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then,
that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave,
he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to
the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told
reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should
"clear off".
"Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who
don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then,
they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday
by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or
Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are
offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks
on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of
Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the
'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that
our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor
do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming
to Australia .." "However, there are a few things that those who have
recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to
understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community
has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And
as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own
language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of
struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have
sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic,
Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you
wish to become part of our society .. Learn the language!"
"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian,
right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women,
on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly
documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of
our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another
part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."
"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we
ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment
with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair
Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this
planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and
we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all
means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will
allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done
complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our
Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take
advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to
come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."
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