Arson Threat Forces Kindergarten To Axe Arabic Lessons.

[disco man]

Article by Christie Anderson.

A Townsville kindergarten has cancelled plans to offer Arabic language lessons after an ugly backlash from racist community members. Wishing Tree Early Learning Centre cancelled the language program and hired security at the premises after receiving racist threats via social media to burn the centre down. Local leaders yesterday slammed the threats as 'gutless' and 'intolerant' while police are investigating. The centre had planned to offer Arabic language lessons next year after being named as a trail site for the federal government's $9.8 million Early Learning Languages Program. The centre's manager said the children's safety was the top priority. John Wall from Total Childcare Solutions,which manages the centre,said the owners,who are expatriate Australians living in Abu Dhabi,wanted to share Arabian culture with their Australian students. "The family understands the sensitivity around offering children language by way of Arabic," he said. "The family did not want to cause grief to any parents. That being the case,the family has asked the centre to pull the Arabic language. "We will choose another language to ensure all parents are happy."

The centre was preparing to train staff to deliver online Arabic tutorials. The one-year trial aimed to test the effectiveness of exposing preschool children to a language other than english,with Mandarin,Japanese,Indonesian,French and Arabic among the options considered. Police confirmed the matter was being investigated. The Australian Department of Education said the threats were a concern but would not say if Arabic would be withdrawn. Herbert MP Ewen Jones said the threats were "disgusting" and "gutless". I just hope the police catch them and prosecute them he said.

For the life of me i can't understand why the Government would spend such a large amount of money on teaching kids another language when they should be focusing on learning how to speak English properly. With tensions running high in society why would this kindy even consider offering Arabic lessons to kids? Absolute stupidity.

[korg20000bc]

Horrible to have threats done like that.

There seems to be some confusion in the article. It says that they wanted to run Arabic language classes. Sounds fine.

Then it say that they wanted to share Arabic culture with their students.

What does "share arabic culture" mean?

[Eevo]

the conspiracy theorist think that this is how it starts. take over by slow conversion.
first language, then culture, then bring in laws to bla bla bla.

i partly agree. unless this is an arabic kindy, teach english.

[ATH]

Teach Arabic in Arabia. In Australia we should be concentrating on good English language skills and an Asian language or another major use language like German or French maybe.
Definitely one which will help in the future.
Certainly don't think threats of this nature should be used but hasn't government spineless appeasement of the Muslims gone too far?
Make it compulsory for them to learn our language and culture, not the other way round.
AlanH.

[PhilipA]

A Townsville kindergarten has cancelled plans to offer Arabic language lessons after an ugly backlash from racist community members

Note the tone of the article.
My reservations would be based on the videos recently taken in Sydney of Moslems indoctrinating young kids into Islam and waving black ISIL flags rather than the language itself.
BTW there are many variations of Arabic and Egyptian Arabic is very different to Saudi Arabic to the extent they find it difficult to understand each other. I was laughed at when I said my "Salaam hallekum " to Egyptians as it branded me as having been in Saudi or the Gulf States.
Regards Philip A

[Gerokent]

We have enough trouble funding learning programs already, they want to teach Arabic with our tax money ?

[UncleHo]

What our kindy and primary school children should be learning is,English,Spelling of same,and simple maths,basicaly preparing them for primary school.

[VladTepes]

This is a case of the right result, but for entirely the wrong reasons.

[vnx205]

So far no-one seems to be concerned that there are people who think it is acceptable to threaten to burn down a kindergarten.

[DiscoMick]

Its disgusting that there are people out there who are so biased and racist they would threaten to burn down a kindy just because some kids get the chance to learn another language. There is a deep vein of ignorant racism in this country, unfortunately. If they investigated they would find research shows that people who learn multiple languages increase the amount of their brains which are used for language, increase their vocabulary and generally are smarter. Its not a choice of one language or another - its normal to learn multiple languages. Some of my students can speak five languages. Around the world it is unusual for children to only learn one language. Most children grow up multilingual. Its monolingual people who are unusual and deprived of a broader language knowledge. So, the racists who are against those kindy kids learning Arabic are depriving those kids of the chance to increase their brainpower and language ability. Disgusting and dumb!

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[PhilipA]

Of course it could just be a bit of exaggeration on the part of the caller, the reporter, or the kindergarten. Maybe something like the archetypal Arab who states that he will kill you your wife and your children when he is just a little upset with you. LOL
And how do we know the ethic group of the caller?
Regards Philip A

[VladTepes]

Its disgusting that there are people out there who are so biased and racist they would threaten to burn down a kindy just because some kids get the chance to learn another language. There is a deep vein of ignorant racism in this country, unfortunately. If they investigated they would find research shows that people who learn multiple languages increase the amount of their brains which are used for language, increase their vocabulary and generally are smarter. Its not a choice of one language or another - its normal to learn multiple languages. Some of my students can speak five languages. Around the world it is unusual for children to only learn one language. Most children grow up multilingual. Its monolingual people who are unusual and deprived of a broader language knowledge. So, the racists who are against those kindy kids learning Arabic are depriving those kids of the chance to increase their brainpower and language ability. Disgusting and dumb!

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app


Wouldn't kids benefit more from learnig Chinese though given they are our major trading partner, and likely to remain so.

[nismine01]

Uncle Ho,

English and punctureation please, it's the punctuation that sets the meaning lots of times.

Cheers

Mike

[KarlB]

There are a few contributors to this thread who could do with a bit of kindergarten English.

[boa]

If we all live our lives by studies we are lost we are all different. I was taught, French,Latin, and Germany at High school. A complete waste of time never used any of them since. Studies on the way we are educating our people is based on what the people doing the studies believe. We are all different some benefit some don't. Get over it. As stated why this place and that language it is a Government experiment to see if extra language helps. Just more studies.

[vnx205]

There are other reasons to study those languages apart from the fact that it might help you to get a job in France, Germany (or Ancient Rome :p).

Have you considered that your ability to use the English language may have been improved by your study of those languages? There is a lot of evidence to suggest that may be the case.

Read some of these articles and see if you still think they are just some educational study reporting what the researcher already believed.

The benefits of learning a second language (http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/benefitsoflearningalanguage.htm)
10 Benefits of Learning a Second Language (http://www.spring.org.uk/2013/09/10-superb-psychological-advantages-of-learning-another-language.php)
12 Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language (http://examinedexistence.com/12-benefits-of-learning-a-foreign-language-2/)
Cognitive Benefits of Learning Language | American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages (http://www.actfl.org/advocacy/discover-languages/for-parents/cognitive)

[boa]

One off those links said I was the whatever visitor and I won a prize. I look forward too it's arrival. Also for me nothing was gained from the extra language. As stated we are all different the best decision for me was to get out of school. I have done well ever since. I have relied on my own decisions not one dictated to me by people who believe they have my interest, but (there passion) as the best thing for me. Anyway again why this place, what is the reason for the choice of this language.

[Bytemrk]

Whether kinder kids should be taught a second language or not...

Or what that language should or should not be , makes little difference.

I think the real concern here is that someone seems to think the right way to win the debate, is to threaten to burn down a kindergarten. :eek:

If the story had no Arabic angle..... would we even be discussing the language thing?....

[303gunner]

I think the language choice was because the article explained that the child care centre owners were ex-pat Aussies currently living in Abu Dhabi. Obviously, they don't have any hidden Islamic-indoctrinating hidden agenda, but appreciate that the Middle East is an interesting area of the world with a history and future.


I don't see why it's wrong to be teaching Arabic as a language, but acceptable to be teaching Mandarin or French? Learning another language is not only an academic pursuit, it is also an excellent way of learning about other cultures and fighting ignorance and racism.

[vnx205]

One off those links said I was the whatever visitor and I won a prize. I look forward too it's arrival.

See! Not only is studying an extra language beneficial, but there are even benefits in simply reading articles about why it is good to study other languages.

Do I get to share the prize with you since I provided the links for you to read?
:p:p:p

[disco man]

I think the language choice was because the article explained that the child care centre owners were ex-pat Aussies currently living in Abu Dhabi. Obviously, they don't have any hidden Islamic-indoctrinating hidden agenda, but appreciate that the Middle East is an interesting area of the world with a history and future.


I don't see why it's wrong to be teaching Arabic as a language, but acceptable to be teaching Mandarin or French? Learning another language is not only an academic pursuit, it is also an excellent way of learning about other cultures and fighting ignorance and racism.

I agree with your statement regarding fighting ignorance,why is Aboriginal studies not taught at school? The racism against the Aboriginal people could be reduced if we bothered to learn about their language and culture.

[boa]

See! Not only is studying an extra language beneficial, but there are even benefits in simply reading articles about why it is good to study other languages.

Do I get to share the prize with you since I provided the links for you to read?
:p:p:p

No it is all mine.

[Bytemrk]

Lets's try and keep the thread on topic shall we....:mad:

[DiscoMick]

Vlad is right that Chinese would probably be more useful. Our school has Chinese. However Chinese is actually quite difficult with more than 4000 characters - it takes daily usage for at least a decade. The best way will probably be children of Chinese living here growing up speaking both Chinese and English.
I guess the point of the OP is how disgusting that someone would be so racist they would threaten to burn down a kindy just because kids were learning Arabic. How dumb!

[rangietragic]

No arabic should be taught at kindy.I'm sorry but next thing they will be chanting"ALLAH AKBAH"or some other gibberish.Funny how only white aussies can be rascist.Islam wants to take over the world because thay are the chosen ones and we are just cattle in their eyes.But don't call any moslem a rascist,you might upset them:mad:

[303gunner]

But why the parcticular slant against Arabic, when it has been an integral part of the English language for centuries, and Australian culture?


You would be branded Un-Australian if you didn't embrace Coffee, Alcohol and the Barbecue, all of which are words lifted straight from the Arabic language. You would have trouble "Stopping the boats" with out an Admiral in charge, which is also an Arabic word. Schoolkids would run riot without a Mufti day every now and again, and your knowledge of ANZAC history would be incomplete without knowing about Baksheesh, Shufti and Bint. How plain would our tastebuds be without Lemons, Limes, and Apricots which originated in the Middle east and were named by the Arabs. And Aussie moviegoers can thank the Arabs in the city of Jaffa for Orange-flavoured Candy (which is also an Arabic word). While we're talking fruits, Sultana was the title given to the first wife of the Sultan, who generally wound up having brown, shrivelled skin compared to the much younger fifth, sixth, or seventh wives. And the written form of numbers and the decimal system of counting we use are also Arabic. Could you imagine the telephone system without Arabic numerals? "Caesar, can you give me a call please on MDCCC CDLVI DCCLXXXIX. Brutus."


And so we can use these words without anxiety, they predate the emergence of Islam, from a time when many Arabic speakers were followers of Christ, Judaism or Hindu.

[boa]

Language as in speaking it, doesn't give you any understanding of the culture of the people who speak that language. Interactions with the culture does more to understanding the difference between each culture. Language is helpful but interactions are more important. And as I see it we are to lenient at the moment on this. As stated there were lots of language's offered in this government sponsored initiative. What was the motivation for this language at this school?

[DiscoMick]

But why the parcticular slant against Arabic, when it has been an integral part of the English language for centuries, and Australian culture?


You would be branded Un-Australian if you didn't embrace Coffee, Alcohol and the Barbecue, all of which are words lifted straight from the Arabic language. You would have trouble "Stopping the boats" with out an Admiral in charge, which is also an Arabic word. Schoolkids would run riot without a Mufti day every now and again, and your knowledge of ANZAC history would be incomplete without knowing about Baksheesh, Shufti and Bint. How plain would our tastebuds be without Lemons, Limes, and Apricots which originated in the Middle east and were named by the Arabs. And Aussie moviegoers can thank the Arabs in the city of Jaffa for Orange-flavoured Candy (which is also an Arabic word). While we're talking fruits, Sultana was the title given to the first wife of the Sultan, who generally wound up having brown, shrivelled skin compared to the much younger fifth, sixth, or seventh wives. And the written form of numbers and the decimal system of counting we use are also Arabic. Could you imagine the telephone system without Arabic numerals? "Caesar, can you give me a call please on MDCCC CDLVI DCCLXXXIX. Brutus."


And so we can use these words without anxiety, they predate the emergence of Islam, from a time when many Arabic speakers were followers of Christ, Judaism or Hindu.

Well said, Arabic and Islam are very different things. Arabic culture is very rich and ancient. They were learned when Europe was a cesspit of ignorance. Also true of the Chinese.

[JDNSW]

There are three points that deserve examination here.

The first is a threat to burn down a preschool - for whatever reason. I hope there is nobody here who supports this? If there is, i would like to see their reasoning, as it would seem to put them in the same box as ISIS and Boko Haram.

The second point is the teaching of a second language at this level of education. It is increasingly being realised that learning a second language is a major advantage in understanding your own language and improving your ability to use it. Not only this, but young children learn language more easily than adults and even older adolescents - it seems that the language learning ability is genetic, but that this genetic ability switches off about the start of the teens, making language learning more difficult. So if a second language is to be learned at all, starting early is a real advantage.

The third point is whether Arabic is a suitable choice. Since the primary reason for teaching a second language at this age is improve the child's ability to use their own language and to enhance their language learning ability in the future, it is probably important to teach a language that has made a substantial contribution to English, and/or that is a major world language. There are a number of languages that fit this picture - obviously German, French, Latin, Spanish (in fact all the Romance languages), but you would have to include Arabic, as it has contributed in a major way to English vocabulary, and, along with English, Spanish, French and perhaps Russian is one of the most widely used world languages. A couple of the most commonly advocated languages for teaching in this country, Mandarin and Indonesian, do not meet these criteria - neither have contributed as much to English as has Arabic, and neither is in as widespread use as the world languages - although it should be pointed out that in terms of number of native speakers, the top ones (in order) are Mandarin, Spanish, English, Hindi, Arabic, Portugese, Bengali, Russian, Japanese, Punjabi, German - and then Indonesian!

John

[JDNSW]

Language as in speaking it, doesn't give you any understanding of the culture of the people who speak that language. Interactions with the culture does more to understanding the difference between each culture. Language is helpful but interactions are more important. And as I see it we are to lenient at the moment on this. As stated there were lots of language's offered in this government sponsored initiative. What was the motivation for this language at this school?

As stated in the original post, the owners of the centre are expatriate Australians resident in Abu Dhabi - hence the foreign language they are familiar with is Arabic, so given the Federal Government offer, why would they not select Arabic?

As an aside - saying that learning Arabic is the same as learning Islam is a bit like saying that learning Latin is learning Roman Catholicism!

John

[olbod]

We have been told often enough that Australia will living under sharia law in the future so why not.

I grew up learning Italian and French, neither of which was much use in my life except for French when we used to holiday in Noumea.

Cheers I think.

[Basil135]

Why is it, as soon as the debate about teaching kids another language comes up, people always trot out the same one ones.

I my personal opinion, if we are going to teach a language other than English, then it should either be Aboriginal studies, or Auslan.

As was mentioned, Aboriginal studies would possibly lead to further social inclusion, and for that matter, so will Auslan.

For those not familiar with Auslan, it is Australian Sign Language for the deaf or hard of hearing.

I recently had a "discussion" with the Principal of our youngest's school, and this led to a survey being sent out to all the parents regarding this very topic. The results were mixed, but many wanted the current taught language of Italian to remain, this being despite a slant being put on the survey letter, angling it towards something else.

FWIW - it is part of the compulsory school curriculum, in primary schools at least, that a language other than English (LOTE) be taught.

[VladTepes]

auslan - good idea I reckon.

[akelly]

Shaking my head and the intolerance and ignorance on display in this thread.

Someone threatened to burn a kindergarten because they didn't like a language trial taking place there. That's Team Australia, right there. Ignorant morons hopped up on their own self importance spouting nonsense they cribbed from the comments under an Andrew Bolt blog article and threatening children. Hooray for you.

I would love my kids to be exposed to another language, any language, at pre-school. There is ample evidence that kids with language skills do well across the board. For those who say "I learned another language at school and it's done me no good", based on your posts in this thread I totally agree - it has done you no good.

maʿ al-salāmah

[Eevo]

I my personal opinion, if we are going to teach a language other than English, then it should either be Aboriginal studies

i dont know about all schools, but my primary school taught aboriginal studies.
i dont think it did me much good.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

:( :( :( :( :(

As has been hinted at, not all Arabic speakers are Muslim, in fact with the recent troubles in the middle east it is the non-Muslim Arabic speakers (and Shia Muslims) who have been suffering most and like it or not, it will be those people who will form a large proportion of our refugee intake over the next decade at least.

We want new arrivals to integrate into our country and there is no better way than to have children learning multiple languages in their pre-school years when they learn languages much faster than at any other time of their lives. It will be the English ability of migrant children that will teach their parents English.

We use the Arabic number system every day of our lives and if it comes to it, we even want our future soldiers to be able to understand the language of the countries they are fighting in.

Migration from non-English European countries has almost ceased, and those who do migrate frequently already speak English. IMHO, the only logical languages that our children should be learning is an Asian language, Arabic or Persian. It has nothing to do with Islam.

[boa]

akelly
That is a very large brush you are painting with.

[KarlB]

Just some numbers to inform debate: 1% of the Australian population speak Arabic, while 1.2% speak Cantonese (Chinese if you like). There are about 22 countries in the world where Arabic is the official or a major language. Most of those countries are in Africa. And as Lotz-A-Landies said, many Arabic speakers are not Muslims. Indeed some are good old Christians.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Eevo]

Landies said, many Arabic speakers are not Muslims. Indeed some are good old Christians.


a quick google say about 90% of arabs are Muslims of any kind with Christian arabs making up about 7%.

[rangietragic]

While threatening to burn down a kindy is sick,in the current climate of brainwashed terrorists,all who speak arabic[and i'm damn sure the so called "aussie" murderers can speak arabic,by their accents it's their first language]i don't think arabic is a good choice.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

While threatening to burn down a kindy is sick,in the current climate of brainwashed terrorists,all who speak arabic[and i'm damn sure the so called "aussie" murderers can speak arabic,by their accents it's their first language]i don't think arabic is a good choice.or they are Christian Anglo-Saxon heritage Muslim converts who have been taught Arabic by Middle Eastern Arabic speakers.

[Eevo]

the current round of terrorists are "extremists muslims"
this tars the other 99% of muslims who have done nothing wrong as being bad.
people associate arabs with muslims
people hear about teaching arabic at kindy and think terrorist.

people also generalise arabs with being hot headed which doesnt help either.

[JDNSW]

the current round of terrorists are "extremists muslims"
this tars the other 99% of muslims who have done nothing wrong as being bad.
people associate arabs with muslims
people hear about teaching arabic at kindy and think terrorist.

people also generalise arabs with being hot headed which doesnt help either.

I see marked parallels with the position of the Irish a generation or two ago - different religion, different language, and a small proportion of them using terror as a political tool overseas.

John

[korg20000bc]

Can some moderator delete this bullcrap thread?

[Debacle]

Can some moderator delete this bullcrap thread?

Be simpler if you choose not to read it. You know what's in it and if you don't like it then don't click on it.

[Eevo]

I see marked parallels with the position of the Irish a generation or two ago - different religion, different language, and a small proportion of them using terror as a political tool overseas.

John

a lot of people did sympathise with the irish, or at least understood their cause.

[JDNSW]

a lot of people did sympathise with the irish, or at least understood their cause.

Yes, but the Irish have always been a much larger proportion of the population - probably at least 10+% compared with the current ~1% Muslim. My point was that to a large extent the attitude has changed and is now seen as a quaint historical relic, but it was still there in my childhood.

John

[korg20000bc]

Be simpler if you choose not to read it. You know what's in it and if you don't like it then don't click on it.

The site just went through huge changes to avoid this type of stuff.

[BMKal]

Yes, but the Irish have always been a much larger proportion of the population - probably at least 10+% compared with the current ~1% Muslim. My point was that to a large extent the attitude has changed and is now seen as a quaint historical relic, but it was still there in my childhood.

John

As well as the Irish being a larger percentage of the Australian population - the two religions that were central to their "troubles" were both much more significantly represented in the Australian population, so their was less likelihood of Australian people being prejudiced towards either side of the Irish disputes based purely on religious views.

[korg20000bc]

As well as the Irish being a larger percentage of the Australian population - the two religions that were central to their "troubles" were both much more significantly represented in the Australian population, so their was less likelihood of Australian people being prejudiced towards either side of the Irish disputes based purely on religious views.

No way. It was always a nationalist conflict. It just so happens that the Republic of Ireland is almost exclusively Roman Catholic and Northern Ireland, being a country of Great Britain, was diversely Protestant.

[303gunner]

Hang on! I thought you didn't like this thread? :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

No way. It was always a nationalist conflict. It just so happens that the Republic of Ireland is almost exclusively Roman Catholic and Northern Ireland, being a country of Great Britain, was diversely Protestant.Where did you get that history book?

The whole of Ireland was occupied by the English and land confiscated from the Irish (mostly Catholic) and granted to English protestant aristocrats or as reward for service of the King. There was then a subsequent migration of English Protestants to the whole of Ireland.

Many of the Irish convicts transported to Australia were not thieves nor robbers but were Catholic Irish republican activists (Fenians) transported for "sedition" against the Crown.

The Fenians or the Irish Republican Brotherhood gradualy became the IRA. After the Easter rising during WW1 and subsequent there was the partition of Ireland into the Irish Free State (mostly Catholic) managed as an autonomous "state" under the Crown of the UK and the county of Ulster or Northern Ireland which was mostly Protestant. The Irish Free State became Ireland but Ulster remained part of the Union with England. The troubles were that Irish republicans disagreed with the partitioning of Ulster. The Protestants wanted to remain part of the UK.

[Eevo]

Many of the Irish convicts transported to Australia were not thieves nor robbers but were Catholic Irish republican activists (Fenians) transported for "sedition" against the Crown.



so if we twist words, australia was founded by terrorists :)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

so if we twist words, australia was founded by terrorists :)And pick-pockets, thieves, whores, and protestant soldiers! :o

(But then again modern Israel was also founded by terrorists, and Zimbabwe, East Timor, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Chad, ......)

[Eevo]

And pick-pockets, thieves, whores, and protestant soldiers! :o
oh god, im living in a criminal nation!

[korg20000bc]

Where did you get that history book?

The whole of Ireland was occupied by the English and land confiscated from the Irish (mostly Catholic) and granted to English protestant aristocrats or as reward for service of the King. There was then a subsequent migration of English Protestants to the whole of Ireland.

Many of the Irish convicts transported to Australia were not thieves nor robbers but were Catholic Irish republican activists (Fenians) transported for "sedition" against the Crown.

The Fenians or the Irish Republican Brotherhood gradualy became the IRA. After the Easter rising during WW1 and subsequent there was the partition of Ireland into the Irish Free State (mostly Catholic) managed as an autonomous "state" under the Crown of the UK and the county of Ulster or Northern Ireland which was mostly Protestant. The Irish Free State became Ireland but Ulster remained part of the Union with England. The troubles were that Irish republicans disagreed with the partitioning of Ulster. The Protestants wanted to remain part of the UK.
Thankyou. You made my point exactly.
The conflict is political rather than religious in nature.

The goals of the IRA had nothing to do with religion.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thankyou. You made my point exactly.
The conflict is political rather than religious in nature.

The goals of the IRA had nothing to do with religion.Except that the Republicans were almost exclusively Catholic with continuous attachment to the land of "Ireland" and the Unionists almost exclusively Protestant with English heritage only a couple or three of hundred years ago.

Very much like the Jewish Israeli's and the Muslim Palestinians. It may be about land and the control of that land by "European Jewry" over the dispossessed "Palestinian Muslims" however the distinction gets lost whether its land or religion as each makes an excuse for the other.

[BMKal]

No way. It was always a nationalist conflict. It just so happens that the Republic of Ireland is almost exclusively Roman Catholic and Northern Ireland, being a country of Great Britain, was diversely Protestant.

Perhaps you should have a good read of what I said. ;)

I never claimed that the irish conflict was anything but a nationalist issue. But it cannot be argued that the opposing sides to the conflict were basically Roman Catholics and Protestants. My comment was simply to point out that at the time, the vast majority of Australians were also either Roman Catholics or Protestants - and given that, there was less likelihood of either side being "demonised" for want of a better word by the Australian population based on the religious affilliation of the two opposing sides in Ireland.

As opposed to current events, where the actions of a small minority of a religion are resulting in "demonisation" of the rest of the same religion, at least in part due to the fact that the religion concerned is followed by only a very small minority of the Australian population.




The goals of the IRA had nothing to do with religion.

The goals of the people behind most if not all conflicts has little if anything to do with religion. ;)

Some people choose to use religion - or their twisted interpretation of it - to encourage others to join their cause or to justify their actions.

[korg20000bc]

Perhaps you should have a good read of what I said. ;)

I never claimed that the irish conflict was anything but a nationalist issue. But it cannot be argued that the opposing sides to the conflict were basically Roman Catholics and Protestants. My comment was simply to point out that at the time, the vast majority of Australians were also either Roman Catholics or Protestants - and given that, there was less likelihood of either side being "demonised" for want of a better word by the Australian population based on the religious affilliation of the two opposing sides in Ireland.

As opposed to current events, where the actions of a small minority of a religion are resulting in "demonisation" of the rest of the same religion, at least in part due to the fact that the religion concerned is followed by only a very small minority of the Australian population.



The goals of the people behind most if not all conflicts has little if anything to do with religion. ;)

Some people choose to use religion - or their twisted interpretation of it - to encourage others to join their cause or to justify their actions.

I'm sorry, I misread your comment.

I apologise.

[JDNSW]

I think the discussion of where the conflicts in Ireland came from are quite irrelevant to the point of my comment. The simple fact is that the Protestant majority of Australians regarded Catholics in much the same way that many Australians today regard Muslims - in both cases it was/is on the basis of religion.

And my further point is that a couple of generations later, we look back on this and wonder what the fuss was about. I expect the same will apply to Muslims in a couple of generations. I do not see Muslims taking over Australia any more than the Catholic takeover my father and grandfather feared!

I could have talked about the position of some other minorities, such as the Australian Chinese, or, as some have sort of raised, the Aboriginals; but they are not distinguished on the basis of religion, but mainly colour, so the Catholic comparison was more apt. And it should be pointed out that not by any means all Catholics were/are Irish - none of the families in the street I grew up in were; I think they were two English and one Italian.

John

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Absolutely I have to agree with John about the Irish.

I would have had a hell of a time if I came home in a relationship with a Catholic, particularly an Irish one. Now everyone seems to celebrate St Patrick's day.

It will likely be the same with the Arabic speakers in Australia, but maybe it will take a generation or two. Do we really want to take the attitude of exclusion of Arabic speakers and create fertile ground for those who will corrupt the minds of the young?

[303gunner]

And pick-pockets, thieves, whores, and protestant soldiers! :o

(But then again modern Israel was also founded by terrorists, and Zimbabwe, East Timor, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Chad, ......)
And the US!

[bob10]

Article by Christie Anderson.

A Townsville kindergarten has cancelled plans to offer Arabic language lessons after an ugly backlash from racist community members. Wishing Tree Early Learning Centre cancelled the language program and hired security at the premises after receiving racist threats via social media to burn the centre down. Local leaders yesterday slammed the threats as 'gutless' and 'intolerant' while police are investigating. The centre had planned to offer Arabic language lessons next year after being named as a trail site for the federal government's $9.8 million Early Learning Languages Program. The centre's manager said the children's safety was the top priority. John Wall from Total Childcare Solutions,which manages the centre,said the owners,who are expatriate Australians living in Abu Dhabi,wanted to share Arabian culture with their Australian students. "The family understands the sensitivity around offering children language by way of Arabic," he said. "The family did not want to cause grief to any parents. That being the case,the family has asked the centre to pull the Arabic language. "We will choose another language to ensure all parents are happy."

The centre was preparing to train staff to deliver online Arabic tutorials. The one-year trial aimed to test the effectiveness of exposing preschool children to a language other than english,with Mandarin,Japanese,Indonesian,French and Arabic among the options considered. Police confirmed the matter was being investigated. The Australian Department of Education said the threats were a concern but would not say if Arabic would be withdrawn. Herbert MP Ewen Jones said the threats were "disgusting" and "gutless". I just hope the police catch them and prosecute them he said.

For the life of me i can't understand why the Government would spend such a large amount of money on teaching kids another language when they should be focusing on learning how to speak English properly. With tensions running high in society why would this kindy even consider offering Arabic lessons to kids? Absolute stupidity.


From what I can see of the program, the Government determines which language is taught. The 5 chosen, including Arabic, are said to be our major trading partner languages, now & in the future. Normally there shouldn't be a problem with Arabic, but announcing you are going to teach it in the city where a large proportion of servicemen & women have just returned from the Middle East, and where relatives of the KIA are still living, probably not enough thought went into the announcement. Anyway, F.A.Q. on the scheme;


http://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ella_trial_faqs_-_6_nov.pdf