A TIMELY MESSAGE
As the first non-Muslim scholar to teach in the International Program of the Islamic University of Indonesia (Yogyakarta) I wish to comment on the architect’s drawing of the now Council approved new Omar Mosque in Gwynneville. The Mosque is a significant asset to the University and to the entire Wollongong multicultural community – however this is not reflected well in its overall design. Islam is currently cautiously negotiating what is called a process of ‘indigenisation’. In part this is a move away from an Islam that has its exclusive cultural roots in the middle East to one that also reflects the cultural sensitivities of, in this example, Australia. The representation of the Mosque in the Illawarra Mercury (16 November) places the new design and colour scheme in 5th century Arabia – not 21st Century Australia. This shortcoming could be easily remedied, and in doing so, would send an important and timely message about the Mosque’s desire to be integrated – and not separated from the community.
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Dr Rob Goodfellow, Wollongong
NOT FOR IDEALOGY
True to Labor, Ryan Park wants to turn back the clock, a very left wing socialist trait, by cancelling Boxing Day trading in NSW. Once upon a time Labor was the supporter of the “working class” , encouraging those who wanted to work get them a job, today they assist them to line up at Centrelink. A lot of those people working on Boxing Day, a) want to work, b) need to work, c) have nothing else to do, d) are casuals and are trying to impress to get a full time job, and many other reasons.But, especially are not forced to work, it is a choice. Labor is so anti business as we always hear the Federal Opposition Left wing Leader call it “the big end of town”, well there are many small ends of town that need this once a year financial stimulus to survive and employ locals. So before making another stupid and rash decision on a whim think of the consequences Mr Park and go back into the past where real men made good decisions that were made for the people’s good not for your ideology and left wing mob of no hopers. Employment is a good thing why are you and your mob against it?
John Ernst, Kanahooka
FALSE CLAIMS
In response to the letter by Barry Swan, ‘Used and Abused’ (Illawarra Mercury, Monday November 12, 2018. Mr Swan's misleading claims and falsifying of history must be called out.
(1) Asylum seeker refugees crossed countries were they could have lived peacefully. (2) Mr Swan is comfortable with the Communist invasion of South Vietnam. (3) It is false to claim all boat people arrivals are the result of warfare. (4) The invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnamese communists was the cause for Asian asylum seekers to arrive on our doorstep, not Australia's involvement in this war. (5) To claim the destabilisation of Middle and South East Asia as a result of Australia's illegal military engagement has caused the resumption of asylum seekers is totally false. Part of Australia's involvement (in both cases) is about upholding peace and stability for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan "respectively" who are constantly under threat from Islamic terrorism which is well documented.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
