Holy Rugger

Carried a press photographer last night to the George Gregan tribute for becoming the most capped player in Test history. I was short-listed as MC for the gig, along with Wendall Sailor, regrettably an early scratching, and Warnie, now playing text in England. However as with the previous Mondays invitation to MC the Mark Steyn forum, once again I declined due to work obligations and my desire to keep the tax office onside.

Later I got to thinking about the Mark Steyn predictions, in relation to the game played in heaven and, last Sunday nights religion program on ABC radio. The talk-back host John Cleary had a couple of young Muslims on board to give a perspective on growing up Muslim in Australia and allay concerns over Islam.

After a light warm-up Cleary lobbed a hospital-pass, (I’ll paraphrase as the audio is not yet online),

I must ask you this because it’s an issue I’m sure many callers will be interested in - is sharia law compatible with a secular Australia...if so, how would it work here...?

The respondent jinked and swerved then countered with,

Well...it would be easier if you gave some (secular) examples and I’ll address them...

From memory, Cleary also showed some deft footwork and neatly dropped the reverse flick-pass by changing the subject. However I have some examples to offer,

1. will sharia law allow rugby to be played in Australia ?
2. will sharia law allow rugby players to benefit financially ?
3. will sharia law allow watching rugby on television ?
4. will sharia law allow sponsorship by Bundaberg Rum ?
5. will sharia law allow the team mascot, Bundy Bear ?
6. will sharia law allow crowd singing at rugby matches ?
7. will sharai law allow Waltzing Matilda to be sung at matches ?
8. will sharia law allow women’s beach volleyball to.....

Err, that’s enough for now, we’ll take one sport at a time...

UPDATE : Interview audio now available. The above exchange occurs around a third of the way in and is much more comprehensive than I've indicated.

Comments

[Darlene]

Hmmm, it's like asking a couple of Christians whether everyone is going to hell (even though not all Christians agree on the concept or whether hell even exists).

It's moments in history like these that I'm glad I have nothing to identify as overly different. I have toyed with the idea of chucking on a scarf and seeing what sort of reaction I'd get.

[lg]

I wear scarves frequently and get nicely commented on them! ;)

[Darlene]

LG, you live in Mount Tamborine.

Such a lovely spot indeed.

Lucky thing.

[Kim]

darlene, you're five years behind the curve. Been done and it sucks ass, cause it's a joke.

[aiko]

Will sharia law allow Darryl Hair to officiate in womens volleyball?

[lg]

That I do, Darlene...and loving it! The mountain is a great place to live.

[adrian]

Darlene, the difference being radical Christians are not waging war against non-believers. It is this distinction which understandably causes concern over sharia law.

[lg]

I say we stand up and be counted. Australians will never allow such nonsense as Sharia law to rule on our shores and beyond. Not this Aussie sheila, anyway!

[Darlene]

Err, Kim I didn't understand a word of that, and quite frankly I don't think I could be bothered with such an inarticulate sentence.

Adrian, not all Muslims are waging war. Generalising about any group is very dangerous, be they Jew, Arab, Muslim, Catholic, taxi-drivers etc etc

The internet is big on the either/or thing (eg you are either right or left), but life's not generally not simple, unless you're intellectually lazy and/or insecure). Sharia Law is utterly objectionable, but so is putting an entire group into a box. There is room to oppose both Sharia Law and discrimination about Muslims.

[Darlene]

Of course, I can be utterly inarticulate myself.

Bear in mind that I am taking two seconds to write something at work. "Discrimation of Muslims" is what I meant to say.

[Darlene]

Sorry Adrian, third comment.

Should go downstairs for lunch.

While looking at the internet for information about graphic novelists, I found this list: http://tinyurl.com/z9qzc

Presumably not all these women would support Sharia Law. But of course, Muslim women need their Western sistes to speak for them or so thinks people like Paul Sheehan.

[adrian]

Darlene, by offering the comparison of 'radical Christians' re waging war, I'm specifically implying 'radical' Muslims, rather than indulging in generalisations.

Yes, there is room to oppose ‘utterly objectionable’ sharia law, as I’m sure your list of Persian feminists do. However when given the opportunity to do so on national radio, the above interviewees, whilst lamenting the ‘conservative values of local Imans’, still equivocated over sharia law.

The interview confirmed that 'the world of the mosque relates more to the old country than it does to Australia, according to the local Iman's heritage'. That is, it appears there’s no variant of sharia law being offered to Australian Muslims. Obviously because there’s no room with these Imans for an enlightened form of Islam, which is at odds with their strict Koranic teachings.

This indicates major tensions between Australian born Muslims and imported Imans. Therefore in support of Aussie Mossies we can promote the debate by requesting clarifications on sharia law. Sport is an easy place to start.

Ultimately, the goal is dissuading home-grown terrorism by fostering mutually compatible integration. If possible.

[lg]

I'm going to cause a big stir, I know but, to be honest, I don't care...I'll say what I think..if the Muslims don't wish to accept our Aussie culture and traditions, then let them move out to a Muslim country where they will fit in better!

[ymmoT]

Is a "radical Muslim" the same as a fundamentalist Muslim? Is a radical the same as a fundamentalist?

Just asking........

[adrian]

Ymmot, it's a fine line, depending on the strength of one's conviction. If a fundamentalist believes in the literal interpretation of ancient scripture, then to give full expression to that belief requires what can only be deemed radicalisation.