The Divergence of Judaism and Islam. Interdependence, Modernity, and Political Turmoil

(Joyce) #1

112 · Suzanne D. Rutland


multicultural policies of the 1970s and 1980s. In response to develop-
ments in the 1990s, the Liberal government of John Howard (1995–2007)
introduced a much more conservative approach to multiculturalism,
with a new focus on “social cohesion” and “citizenship,” including a
new citizenship test. Thus the Howard government promoted the view
that Australian multicultural policies advocate that all groups do share
“mutual civic obligations.” In 2006, the website dealing with Australian
multicultural policy stated: “All Australians are expected to have an
overriding loyalty to Australia and its people and to respect the basic
structures and principles underwriting our democratic society. These are
the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and reli-
gion, English as the national language, the rule of law, acceptance and
equality.”^53 Both the media and politicians have stressed this concept of
the core values of Australian society.
The Howard government tried to sponsor dialogue between the reli-
gious groups to create greater cohesion. In 1999 there were some moves
to create a more formal Muslim, Christian, and Jewish dialogue group,
but these did not come to fruition. After September 11, 2001, the com-
monality of the fear of attack and the need for increased security led to
the creation in 2003 of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians,
Muslims, and Jews, supported by the National Council of Churches in
Australia, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), and the
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). The federal government
also allocated a budget of $35 million to engage Australian Muslims as
part of its 9/11 response. It appointed a reference group with a series of
working groups, hosted and funded a series of conferences broadly la-
belled National Security for a Diverse Community, and provided funding
to other groups working in this area. Other important initiatives in inter-
faith dialogue include the New South Wales–based Women’s Interfaith
Network, the government-sponsored Australian Partnership of Ethnic
and Religious Organizations, and the “Living in Harmony” projects.
The National Dialogue at the federal level aims to build bridges and
create a better understanding of key issues during this period of increased
ethnic and religious tension. Peta Jones Pellach outlined the three main
areas of discussion as follows: “Matters of national importance where
a religious perspective is pertinent; matters of theological interest that
are of significance to all the partners in the dialogue; religious ideas and

Free download pdf