Hundreds protest Islamic law in Australia

Reading the article leads me to believe that the headline might be misleading. It seems the protesters are protesting against Islamic extremism, not Islamic law. Have there been any moves to introduce Islamic law to Australia? If not, then it is clear that these protesters are not protesting against Islamic law, but are protesting against Islamic extremism. What would be even better is protesting against all forms of extremism.

Sharia has no place in any modern country. Kill it with extreme prejudice.

Keeping it classy, Oz.

@M3M3M3

These people probably aren't the most articulate or educated and their delivery is a bit crude...

They enlisted Pauline Hanson to speak. Say no more.

...but I think most people would agree that the underlying concerns about terrorism and Australians joining ISIS are legitimate

Of course but does that justify their obvious racist agenda?

They also don't seem to be anti-Islam simply because they themselves are fundamentalist Christians, so I don't think the comparison is fair.

That doesn't make sense. First of all, I doubt they're fundamentalist Christians. They're likely just a bunch of dumb rednecks, maybe even Australian nationalists (if there's such a thing). Anyway, if they did happen to be fundamentalist Christians it would follow that they'd be anti-Islam.

Under Sharia law, girls who have reached puberty can be married. Cripes...

Sharia has no place in any modern country. Kill it with extreme prejudice. exactly some of my good friends are law abiding Muslims and hate the fact that these extremist are damaging there religion. Sharia law has no place in a modern democratic society.

Um, Australia is not under Sharia law. Also why take back Australia when you already have it?

Keeping it classy, Oz.

Perhaps you could share your specific concerns? They are not at all clear in your comment.

Two people, and the gunman, were killed in that incident.

The gunman's not a person?

Anyway, anti-Sharia is just common sense for any pluralistic, secular country...

“No Islam. No Sharia. No Halal”

...But to ban Halal is bigoted. No-one is forcing non-Muslims to eat Halal. What Muslims do or don't want to eat is their business, despite Halal dietary rules being based on 7th century irrationality, as are the related Kosher rules.

Its not about the Law but the People itself.

No-one is forcing non-Muslims to eat Halal.

Perhaps not in Australia. However, if they did, they would not be the first.

It is possible that the sentiment of the 'No Halal' was the same as the 'No Sharia' which you say you agree with.

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10308743.Row_over_Halal_meat_at_school/

Management at Larkswood Primary in New Road, Chingford, will stop providing meat slaughtered using 'standard' methods and replace it with food which is prepared according to the rituals of Islam from mid-April. Parents told the Guardian they had no objection to Muslim children practising their faith and eating Halal meat at the school. But said they did not want such religious beliefs imposed on their own offspring.

Hmm... Isn't gender equality allowing every woman and man to wear what they want, even if it's a burqa..?

@banz10

That doesn't make sense. First of all, I doubt they're fundamentalist Christians. They're likely just a bunch of dumb rednecks, maybe even Australian nationalists (if there's such a thing).

Yes, I agree, I don't think Australians are fundamentalist Christians. I was talking about the comparison Joeintokyo's friend made about Americans and Australians being kindred spirits which I disagree with. I think these Australians dislike extreme Islam because of the dangers it poses to Australian society... as where many fundamentalist Christians in rural America dislike all Islam because they think Mohammed is the anti-Christ, and that the rapture can't come if Muslims are in the holy land, and etc etc etc.

It sounds quite simple to me. In any "western" or democratic country, religious "law" should never be allowed to supercede the federal laws of that nation. To advocate for any religious law, i.e: Everyone must go to a church, mosque, or temple every Sat/Sun and pray or worship whether they have a religious belief or not... invites a whole slew of issues of freedom of speech/religion/and a lot of basic human rights.

The UK is a prime example of what happens when allowing religious "laws" to have any say over basic federal laws whatsoever.

Anyone who understands anything about being against a religion (doesn't necessarily mean one has to be against the followers of the religion), should know its no different than being against an ideology that can be deemed harmful. Extremism in Islam is against the fundamentals of basic human rights and freedoms in living a natural life.

Race and religion are 2 separate issues. The two are divisible. That is a fact of logic. However, defenders of Islam like to muddy up the definitions, so they can use the "racist" tag. The growth of Islam in non-Islamic Western countries is incremental. First they start off as a tiny minority and use modern law to hide behind "minority rights" protections. Then, as their numbers increase, they start asking for more, then demanding more, until you end up with enclaves of sharia law. Their loyalty is always to the Koran, and never to the host country. It is not a culture, but an anti-culture. The ultimate aspiration for fundamentalist Muslims is uniformity in thought and behaviour. There is always the encouragement to become "closer" to the "real" Islam, which equates as a move towards a stricter interpretation. It is quintessentially intolerant, but pretends to be otherwise. Actually, it is nothing but an extremely dangerous personality cult, with worldwide reach. If you look at the presence of Islam in non-Muslim countries, you will see that it leaves a trail of increasing crime and a growth in terrorist activity. The actual truth is one of those politically-incorrect facts that many know, but which draws heavy criticism when it is publicised. I could go on, but this is enough. I have, for a short time, seen it from the inside. I know what I am talking about. You just have to take the trouble and see what has been happening in England and parts of Europe. Australia is slowly heading in that direction because many of our politicians have been clueless. Oh, and Christian fundamentalism has only a small profile in this country. The hatred of Islam cuts across all sectors of society, except for the totally naive, politically-correct lefty crowd. They are clueless on this issue.

No, I am not "right-wing". More of an existentialist, libertarian, Shinto-respecting Confucius-admirer, actually. I love Japan, its people and culture, and I sincerely hope it NEVER has to deal with an increasing intake of Muslims.

Sounds like a knuckle-dragger day out.

'No Islam. No Sharia. No Halal'

Everyone should be free to practice whatever religion they want and eat what they want as long as it doesn't affect others and our deference isn't required. As for Sharia or any other religious system of law, just no. Never. No shape, no form. We have something better.

Regarding the above poster, who claims he is not a racist, who wrote: "First they start off as a tiny minority and use modern law to hide behind "minority rights" protections. Then, as their numbers increase, they start asking for more, then demanding more, until you end up with enclaves of sharia law. Their loyalty is always to the Koran, and never to the host country." Um, something like this was once said about the Jews. Hitler made this prejudice the high point of policies that led to the Holocaust.

What the supposedly non-racist poster is saying need only four word to put it in its place. It is not true. Not in the way the poster said it. Enclaves are just that: isolated and not powerful communities. They have no power, or little power. The only time "enclaves" have power is when they are colonies back up by a strong imperial power. Thus the majority of Australians are white Anglo-Saxons whose ancestors stole the continent from the native people and put them into 'enclaves."

I still do not see why these white people who dominate Australia should so hysterical about taking Australia back.

Good to see Ozzy knuckle dragger's are better educated than their American counterparts, who constantly and stupidly refer to it as sharia law.

These people have every right to peacefully stand up & protest wanton murders done by Extremists. Isis, Al Shabob, Al Quaida are just over the top, murdering christians world wide! They are the New Nazis and thier extermination of all who oppose allah ,just like Hitler's agenda againt the Jews. P.S. Islam is Not a race but an Ideology.

Hopefully everything was peaceful and people weren't out attacking random Lebonese people like they were a few years back.

@M3M3M3

Yep, fair enough. I think though the right-wingnuts at times like these try to capitalise on societal concerns and use fear as a tactic to recruit support. Islamic extremism is a cancer, not just on the world but also peaceful Muslims as well. These redneck clowns who drape themselves in the Aussie flag don't speak for me or most Australians and they need to be reminded of that fact. It's the same with nationalists anywhere, including Japan.

Australia is right next to INDONESIA, not just cute BALI island, but if you know anything about INDONESIA it is the worlds largest MUSLIM POPULATION, all you need is some crazy, radical Muslim terrorists to pretend they are on holiday, or want to study in Australia etc..and now look at the bloody mess in KENYA were SOMALI MUSLIM terrorists have just KILLED over 140 innocent UNIVERSITY students in Kenya, I hope that never happens in AUSTRALIA or anywhere else.

"Australia is not under Sharia law."

They don't want the country to go the way of the UK, which now has nearly 100 Sharia councils. Sharia is also taught in schools, and many Muslims are keen that Sharia plays an even bigger role. These Ozzies dont want that to happen in their country.

"These people probably aren't the most articulate or educated"

Indeed, the "anti-racism" crowd don't understand that Sharia and Islam are not races, but are beliefs, akin to ideologies. And that in a democracy, people are free to question beliefs and ideologies.

" Um, something like this was once said about the Jews. Hitler made this prejudice the high point of policies that led to the Holocaust."

A slight difference is that, to my knowledge, there were no radical/extremist Jews who carried out acts of terrorism in Germany. But such terrorism by radical islamists IS a real threat in many places. Shalom.

This is good. Kudos to those Aussies who are concerned about threats from extreme religious freaks.

Oh I think I'm just going to watch this one from the sidelines....

But before I do, one question: Instead of listening to the slogans of this group, who are it's prominent members? What are their background and motivations?

What the supposedly non-racist poster is saying need only four word to put it in its place. It is not true. Not in the way the poster said it. Enclaves are just that: isolated and not powerful communities. They have no power, or little power. The only time "enclaves" have power is when they are colonies back up by a strong imperial power. Thus the majority of Australians are white Anglo-Saxons whose ancestors stole the continent from the native people and put them into 'enclaves."

Little history fact, Indonesia and Malaysia used to be majority Buddhist/Hindu before Islam crept in and eventually gained enough power to start changing the laws of the land. Now in both countries Islam is the "state religion". Remember what they say about learning from historical problems in the past...

In the US Dearborn Michigan is also having problems with the area obeying Federal Law. Don't criticize Islam or you might be arrested for "disturbing the peace", by the local police force.

Then, as their numbers increase, they start asking for more, then demanding more, until you end up with enclaves of sharia law. Their loyalty is always to the Koran, and never to the host country." Um, something like this was once said about the Jews. Hitler made this prejudice the high point of policies that led to the Holocaust.

Something like this was also said about the Nazis, if you're gonna go there.