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Written by: Fatima Chand

Category: ARTICLES

Published: 18 April 2015

Multiculturalism also has its dark side. Religion seems to be the gist of this darkness.  Since the beginning of April, ‘Reclaim Australia Rallies’ have been staged nationwide. The rallies have been organized by Rise Up Australia Party to reclaim the true Australian cultural identity. RUAP President, Daniel Nalliah says that the rally is being used to show the people of Australia that they have had enough of minorities not fitting in.  Party supporters and rally goers have been shouting that its time for all patriotic Australians of all nationalities and beliefs to stand united against radical extremism.

The Guardian reported that on April 4th, around 200 people marched with some bearing swastika tattoos and some wearing t-shirts reading “If you don’t love, leave”.  Counter-protesters made a point by carrying signs that read “No room for racism”. This triggered arguments and unwanted scuffles whereby the police had to intervene. In the backdrop, RUAP is anti-Islam. Its rallies are urging the people to stand up against ‘sharia law’, ‘halal tax’ and ‘Islamization’. Moreover, the party wants to ban the teaching of Islam in government schools and ban the burqa or any variant thereof.

Majority of Australians have been offended by RUAP’s rallies. Writer Durkhanai Ayubi says when people have had a concerted political campaign, however opportunistic, which fails to dissociate the atrocities of extreme Islam from the behavior and ideologies of 'moderate' Muslims living in Australia, people are bound to create pockets of society which feel it is not only their right, but their duty, to stamp out that threat.

Political analysts say that RUAP’s believes the Australian government is being gagged by political correctness to counteract Islamic extremism. Furthermore, analysts say that the fear has been created by a massive failure to separate the identity of Muslims from that of Islamic extremists. This can either be due to political opportunistic reasons or legitimate political incompetency – or both.

Arab Council Australia CEO Randa Kattan says such racist events could quickly spiral out of control. She said the government should be careful not to underestimate such groups for attracting interest in their cause. Meanwhile, following the inhumane activities of ISIS and Boko Haram, anti-Islamic sentiments have once again been refreshed.