Muslims taking over Australia

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 16 Feb 2014.

With fear, confusion and uncertainty over immigration policy and boat arrivals, rumours abound, such as the view that Muslim migration will overrun Australia.  In reality, Muslims comprise 2.2 per cent of Australia’s population, and has increased by 0.73 per cent over the last 15 years.  The Muslim population is not expected to have passed three per cent by 2020.

Another myth is that most asylum seekers are Muslims.  In reality, Muslims made up 37 per cent of Australia’s humanitarian intake in recent years where statistics have been available, and the most common religious affiliation is Christian.

A third myth is that honour killings and execution of non-Muslims are central to Islam and will eventually become common in Australia.  In reality, honour killing is prohibited in the Qur’an, but appears in Deuteronomy 13 in the Judeo-Christian Scriptures.  Most Muslims reject these practices, and evidence indicates that migration to Western countries strongly discourages the holding of such views.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.