Anti-Terrorism Update

Though certain to drive down under Moonbats more batty, Australia's adopted new policies to combat Radical Islam:

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law have been told to get out of Australia.

A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown.

Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament.

"If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television.

"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that that is false.

"If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country which practises it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.

Prime Minister Howard's not backing down:

Mr Howard was blunt when asked whether he was prepared to "get inside" mosques and schools to ensure there was no support for terrorism.

"Yes, to the extent necessary," he said on Southern Cross radio.

"I have no desire, and nor is it the Government's intention, to interfere in any way with the freedom or practice of religion.

"We have a right to know whether there is, within any section of the Islamic community, a preaching of the virtues of terrorism, whether any comfort or harbour is given to terrorism within that community."

The response of one Australian Muslim group was one step forward--but at least two back:

Islamic youth organisations that were not part of Prime Minister John Howard's summit yesterday say they have been working against extremism behind the scenes.

They have chosen a date for a planned day of action - September 11.

The group says it wants to try to change the date's association with extreme Islamic violence, and to highlight how mainstream Muslims have become victims of prejudice and bias. . .

"But we want to show to the world that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism - the true form of Islam would not allow anyone, or any of us, to do such a treacherous act."

Mr Saral says he wants people to understand that Muslims are feeling more victimised than at any other time in their history of living in Australia.

Britain has similar plans, according to the Times (London):

[Home Secretary] Charles Clarke is planning to fast-track the expulsion of preachers of hate by offering them the chance to be deported rather than face months in custody and possible trial on terror charges.

Officials will use new immigration rules against extremist clerics alleged to have been stirring up hatred. Identity documents and visa permits will be scrutinised to discover if they can be swiftly deported. Immigration staff have been asked to check the files of those on a list of foreign imams whom ministers want expelled.

In pledging swift action, the Home Secretary used the same phrase as the Prime Minister in saying that since the July 7 bombings “the rules of the game have changed”. The Home Secretary said that the measures, expected to include powers to deport those who glorify suicide bombers, would come shortly.

The plan aims to deport foreigners for orations or writing (including web sites) that:

• Foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs



• Seek to provoke others to terrorist acts



• Foment other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts



• Foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK

Amnesty International's already condemned Clarke's proposal.

Will U.S. law eventually mirror Australia and the U.K.? Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Bret Stephens and Joseph Rago say no:

Muslim Americans differ from Muslim communities in Britain and Continental Europe, which tend to be poor and socially marginalized. Four other features set American Muslims apart.

First, unlike in Europe the overwhelming majority of Muslims arrived here legally. . .

Second, 21% of Muslim Americans intermarry. . .

Third, according to Ishan Bagby, a professor at the University of Kentucky who recently made a study of mosque attendance in Detroit, the average mosque-goer is 34 years old, married with children, has at least a bachelor's degree, and earns about $74,000 a year. . .

Finally, Muslim Americans benefit from leaders who, despite some notable exceptions, are generally more responsible than Muslim leaders in Britain and Europe.

I've no idea whether Stephens and Rago are right. However should they be wrong, I'm afraid the MSM and the Administration won't confront homegrown Radical Islam until it's too late.

(via LGF)