Islamic Diversity in Australia
With rising tensions in Muslim Australia it has become more important than ever that Australians get a better understanding of what Islam really is. One of the problems we've identified is that governments and media, but also well-meaning public intellectuals, presume that Islam is a homogenous religion.
In the context of the post-9/11 environment many Muslims have found themselves harassed and in some instances assaulted. Muslim Australians have also been subjected to racial targeting in defence, security and policing strategies. Consequently, many Muslims have understandably become fearful of the police and security forces who are there to protect them. We believe that an understanding of Islamic diversity could help to counter these developments and ensure that Muslim Australians are included in Australia's security rather than excluded through religiously discriminatory practices.
Islam has been in existence for several hundred years and has grown and developed multiple expressions. The Islamic faith encompasses a diversity of people and cultures across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe some of whom have come to Australia to make their homes. This project looks at the diversity of Islamic thought and faith in Australia through interviews with heads of Muslim organisations and ordinary Muslim Australians alike. It seeks to develop a complex picture of Islamic Australia and the relations between different Islams. The project also seeks to understand how Muslims practice their faith in Australia and what it means to be Muslim.
We hope the research outcomes to be used to intervene into public policy, media as well as defence and policing strategies. The project is equally funded by The University of South Australia and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
We're interested conducting interviews with Muslim leaders and ordinary Muslims alike in Adelaide and Sydney during October, November and December. If you'd like to participate please download the participant information sheet, which provides you with information on the research project as well as the sample topics/questions sheet which provides a list of questions you'll most likely encounter in the interview. If you're part of a Muslim organization and would like to help us advertise this project please download the poster for distribution.
If you have any queries please contact Gilbert on (08) 8302 2962 or 0451 308 960 or e-mail gilbert.caluya@unisa.edu.au.