Page 235 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 February 2010
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of our community in relation to the proposed mosque in Nicholls and the Islamic school in Weston.
Keeping on the topic of Muslim young people for a moment, many second generation Muslims have had a different experience of Islam compared to their parents. Being able to explore parts of their religion in a non-intrusive fashion independently from their parents and peers is an option I believe would be very attractive for a lot of young people.
I have tried to touch on the importance of the library today. However, unfortunately, the construction of the library has been deadlocked for a number of years because of a combination of a lack of finances and internal divisions within the CIC itself. I believe, however, the library needs bipartisan support if it is to become a functioning and accessible space for the Canberra community. I believe the government can provide resources and support, not necessarily financial, to have the materials and texts catalogued, and provide or source support to assist in the Islamic library’s establishment. This small amount of government direction will go a long way.
We would like to see the library get to a stage where it can be easily accessible for the whole community. This resource has the largest, most diverse and broadly representative collection in Australia of Islamic texts and other material—and it is right here in the ACT. Having all the material electronically archived, some of which is over 300 years old, would mean that people, particularly young people, could electronically access books and information. Once properly established, the library could work with other community libraries and larger libraries such as the National Library of Australia who have already expressed their support for the idea. The library could also be particularly attractive to ANU students and government departments such as ASIO and DFAT and act as a useful resource for community groups, seniors and schoolchildren who want to know more about Islamic culture and practice.
This motion is not only about supporting religious cohesion but also about providing free and accessible information to the non-Islamic community. Mr Youssef has dedicated more than a decade of his life to this work. He is a senior and he is tired. It is about time we step it up and support this initiative.
In concluding, the Canberra Islamic Centre of Monash has serviced the Canberra community, particularly the south of Tuggeranong, for many years now. The Islamic library is a resource that not many people know about and it is a shame that they do not know about it. If we could establish a friendly and enjoyable space for people to learn about other cultures and religions we could not only counter isolationism but also build upon our own unique cultural fabric in Canberra.
What I have highlighted today is that multiculturalism is more than just a buzz word. Building a pluralist society is about the growth and exchange of ideas. By promoting tolerance and diversity we progress and flourish as a community. The Islamic library is one resource that builds upon this idea. It provides a safe space for the community to freely learn about Islam, its history, ethics, gender and religious law, encouraging religious harmony rather than ethnic division. However, for the library to become a functioning resource in our community it will need more than just volunteers; it requires our support and political will.
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