“The Executive Council Of Australian Jewry has also made a submission to the federal multiculturalism inquiry wanting a
strengthened test of so-called 'Australian values' for all immigrants.
"That's something that has to be earned. Australian citizenship is an honour and a responsibility - it's not something to be
given away lightly," Executive Director Peter Wertheim says.
The council says all new arrivals should be scrutinised closely for attitudes it feels are unacceptable.
"Regardless of their religious or cultural background, if they're involved in promoting violent or racist or totalitarian
ideology they're not fit subjects for citizenship"
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Multicultural inquiry stirs emotions in Melbourne
By Luke Waters
World News Australia Reporter
18 May 2011 06:35:57 PM
The Federal Government's inquiry on multiculturalism has been told that it should give more support to key aspects of
Islamic life, such as mosques, schools and its food.
But the inquiry has sparked a call from a leading Jewish organisation for all new arrivals to demonstrate an acceptance of
what it calls 'Australian values'.
Turkish born Huseyein Yazaci is the second generation proprietor of Melbourne's first ever Halal butchery.
He's considered opening a second store in an outer suburb, but says it's still cost prohibitive and would need to form part
of a co-ordinated expansion.
"You have to have all those things over there, like Mosques or Islamic schools or Islamic shops," says Mr. Yazaci.
That's precisely what the Federation Of Islamic Councils is proposing, they say the muslim community is driven to the
very "enclaves" which often draw criticism.
"There has been instances where we have applied on good planning grounds for a mosque or a school to be built in certain
areas that those facilities are not approved and certain road-blocks are put in," Iqbal Patel from the Federation of Islamic
Councils told SBS.
The proposal is gaining support in Melbourne's multiculural north, with residents saying there's no reason why they
shouldn't be integrated.
Mr Patel is even encouraging Australian governments to consider some funding for islamic-oriented infrastructure.
"If you don't like the Muslim community to live in enclaves, or for that matter any community, then allow for those
services to be opened up in areas out of these so-called enclaves."
The Executive Council Of Australian Jewry has also made a submission to the federal multiculturalism inquiry wanting a
strengthened test of so-called 'Australian values' for all immigrants.
"That's something that has to be earned. Australian citizenship is an honour and a responsibility - it's not something to be
given away lightly," Executive Director Peter Wertheim says.
The council says all new arrivals should be scrutinised closely for attitudes it feels are unacceptable.
"Regardless of their religious or cultural background, if they're involved in promoting violent or racist or totalitarian
ideology they're not fit subjects for citizenship"
The federal inquiry is continuing to receive submissions.
