The President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Mr Ikebal Patel said that the comments made by Mr Kevin Andrews are simplistic.

He further mentioned that for Muslims or any other group to be dispersed among the greater community requires relevant  services and infrastructure pertaining to their particular needs such as  mosques, temples, schools, youth centres and other such facilities.

On the one hand recent experience had shown government and councils even the greater community has put up road blocks when it comes to providing facilities for the Muslim Community and other ethnic groups thus restricting them to limited areas where their needs are fulfilled.  On the other hand parliamentarians like Mr Andrews want to single out certain ethnic community group’s to beat up a story.

Mr Andrews had an opportunity whilst in government as the Minister for Citizenship to engage with and address lack of facilities available to ethnic communities. He missed that opportunity and is now, singling out  the Muslim community to beat up a story.

Recent examples of the assimilations of Sudanese in Tamworth and the opposition to Islamic Schools and Mosques  are not conducive to dispersion of ethnic communities throughout Australia.

It is observed that the campaigning for the next elections has started and one would hope that Muslims, refugees and others will not be used  as a campaign agenda.

Muslim Communities of Australia welcomes Mr Andrews or any other well meaning Australian including politicians to make constructive suggestions which will certainly be embraced. This is the only way to move forward in an enlightened manner.

 

For further details contact: Mr Ikebal Patel (Chairman) 0419 418 237