Divided Nation: Fury Erupts as Morrison Unveils Draconian Plan to Crack Down on Islamic Extremism, Muslim Leaders Label it “Toxic” and “Incredibly Unfair”
- Former PM Scott Morrison’s proposal sparks outrage among Muslim leaders, who claim it will drive division and extremism
- Senator Andrew Bragg’s comments that Australian Muslims must take “some responsibility” for extremist incidents labelled “misguided” and “incredibly unfair”
- Proposal includes national register for Islamic preachers, recognised accreditation for imams, and greater scrutiny of overseas funding
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a controversial plan to crack down on Islamic extremism, including introducing a national register for Islamic preachers and recognised accreditation for imams. The proposal has been labelled “toxic” and “incredibly unfair” by Muslim leaders, who claim it will drive division and extremism rather than preventing it.
Senator Andrew Bragg’s comments, in which he said Australian Muslims must take “some responsibility” for extremist incidents, have been met with fierce backlash. Muslim leaders have slammed the comments as “misguided” and “incredibly unfair”, warning that they will only serve to further stigmatise and alienate the Muslim community.
“It’s an exercise in collective blame, which in turn distracts from a focus on the horrific crime which occurred, and understanding why it occurred and the factors behind it,” said Bilal Rauf, senior adviser to the Australian National Imams Council. “This is precisely the kind of rhetoric that delivers to the very terrorists who commit these crimes the very objective that they seek, which is to divide and to pit communities and people against each other.”
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about freedom of speech and the role of government in regulating religious institutions. Labor minister Pat Conroy accused the Liberal Party of being “incredibly divided” on the issue, and warned that Morrison’s plan could infringe on freedom of speech. “We would have passed vilification laws if we’d had the support of the Coalition,” Conroy said.
Experts have warned that the comments from Morrison and Bragg are likely to drive division and extremism, rather than preventing it. “You can’t just focus on one aspect of the problem and expect to solve it,” said one expert. “You need to look at the whole picture and address the root causes of radicalisation.”
The controversy has highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to tackling extremism, one that addresses the root causes of radicalisation and avoids scapegoating entire communities. As one observer noted, “this is a complex issue that requires a nuanced approach. We need to find a way to balance freedom of speech with the need to prevent the spread of radical ideology.”