Western Resistance

« Russia: Islamist Informant Helped Kill Basayev | | Canada: Islamist Terror Suspect Gets Bail »

July 16, 2006

Australia: Government To Spend Millions On Muslims

News from AAP via the Sydney Morning Herald and NineMSN states that the federal government will be donating $8 million Aus ($6,028,400 US) towards the setting up a national Institute of Islamic Studies, in an effort to counter extremism. The scheme will be based at an Australian university, though which one has not yet been decided.

The parliamentary secretary for immigration and cultural affairs, Andrew Robb, announced the decision. The proposed institute is part of the government's plan to "promote social cohesion and harmony" in Muslim communities (or appease them?) and to discourage radicalism.

The government has said that it will give $35 million ($26,374, 290) towards a four year "action plan" which will include measures to increase tolerance, boost employment and integrate Muslims into Australian life.

There are only 300,000 Muslims in Australia, so the figure for the four year "action plan" represents a spending of $117 Aus ($88 US) for every single Muslim in the nation.

The funding deal includes $4.4 million Aus ($3.3m US) for human rights education in Muslim communities, run by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission.

Additionally, $1.6 million Aus ($1.2 million US) will be spent on two employment programs in Lakema and Macquarie Fields in Sydney, and $1 million Aus ($753,550 US) for an inter-faith education program.

The proposals stem from John Howard's summit in August last year, where he consulted with Muslim leaders. I am sure the money could be better spent investing in business schemes, but it seems Muslims in host countries need to be patronised and to demand handouts, in order to make others not feel threatened.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at July 16, 2006 2:22 PM

Comments

Posted by: Mike at July 16, 2006 10:57 PM

Post a comment