Buddhism Australia's Fastest Growing Religion

[Guest guest]

>From an Islamic egroup:

Islam is no longer the fastest growing faith in Australia. It is now

the 3rd after Baha'i with Buddhism number 1. Muslims are the fasting

growing criminal group in Australia. We are fast becoming the group

that

commits more crimes per 1,000 people than any other group in

Australia.

 

-

jassem

jazalin

Cc: Islam-Global_Religion

Saturday, October 26, 2002 6:10 PM

[iGR] Here is something to soothe your anxiety in

Australia

 

 

Islam - fastest growing faith in Australia

By Ridwaan Jadwat, Special to Arab News

 

 

RIYADH, 25 October - On Monday, Oct. 7, I had the honor to

represent Australia and hundreds of thousands of Australian Muslims

at

the washing of the Holy Kaaba ceremony in Makkah. It was the fourth

time

that I have been granted the privilege of entering the inner sanctum

of

the Kaaba and performing prayers inside Islam's holiest site. It

remains a vivid and deeply moving experience.

 

My invitation to Makkah and the warm welcome that I

received

from my Saudi hosts and diplomatic colleagues, represents a symbolic

acknowledgment that Australia's cultural and religious diversity is

recognized throughout the world.

 

Islam's presence in Australia predates European settlement.

In the early 16th century, Makassan fishermen from the east

Indonesian

archipelago were the first Muslims to visit Australia and trade with

the

indigenous Aboriginal community. In the 19th century, Afghan Muslim

camel drivers played an important role in the exploration and opening

up

of the interior of the Australian continent. Today, Islam is one of

the

fastest growing faiths in Australia, and Muslims are a vital and

integral part of the rich mosaic of Australian society.

 

In the past 25 years, the Australian Muslim community has

significantly expanded. According to the 2001 census, the Muslim

community

constituted 281,578 people, an increase of 40 percent since the 1996

census and an overall rise of 91 percent in the last decade. And

these

figures may be very conservative. Some recent estimates suggest

Australian Muslims now number between 350,000-450,000.

 

Australian Muslims are ethnically diverse and come from a

wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Some 35 percent of Australian

Muslims were born in Australia, and the rest immigrated to Australia

from

over 70 different countries, including Lebanon, Turkey, Indonesia and

Bosnia-Herzegovina.

 

There are almost 100 mosques and over 20 Muslim schools in

Australia. Reflecting the increasing recognition in Australia of the

Islamic faith, Commonwealth and state governments have introduced

flexible

work hours on Fridays to make it easier for Muslim workers to attend

a

mosque and observe Juma prayers. Public streets are closed every year

of Eid-ul Fitr and Eid-ul Adha to accommodate the tens of thousands

of

worshipers who attend Eid prayers at mosques such as Lakemba Mosque

in

Sydney, home to Australia's largest Muslim congregation.

 

Islamic community centers, student associations, halal

butchers and restaurants are found in every major city in Australia.

The peak

Islamic authority in Australia is the Australian Federation of

Islamic

Councils (AFIC), which is the umbrella organization of Islamic

councils

from Australia's various states and territories.

 

The Australian government recently announced a partnership

program with AFIC. The partnership will include employing a

journalist to

work with the media toward a better understanding of Islam and

Muslims

in Australia, through facilitating informed and accurate reporting

and

producing information, articles, and media releases on Islam and

Muslims.

 

Australian Muslims are doctors, lawyers, academics,

diplomats, police officers, members of the defense force,

entrepreneurs,

shopkeepers, and laborers. Muslims have contributed much to

Australia's

political, economic, and social life, and have cemented their place

in

Australia's religious and cultural landscape.

 

They occupy an increasingly important place on the

Australian

public square, and are embracing opportunities to participate in a

tolerant, inclusive and culturally diverse Australia.

 

(Mr. Ridwaan Jadwat is second secretary at the Australian

Embassy in Riyadh)