II National Social Cohesion Conference

The Australian Jewish Experience and Challenges Faced by Muslims

Education is the key to social integration, according to the Honourable Justice Howard Nathan, who spoke at the II National Social Cohesion Conference at the University of Melbourne on 24 February. Co-organised by the Australian Intercultural Society and the Anti Defamation Commission, the conference, titled ‘The Australian Jewish Experience and Challenges Faced by Muslims’, addressed the much discussed issue of the integration of the Muslim community into mainstream Australian society. Drawing on the history of the Jewish community in Australia, starting with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, Justice Nathan described the ‘good news story’ of the Jewish experience, attributing this to the literacy and numeracy which the Jewish community had already acquired. “Not only were they literate, but they were also numerate, which put them ahead of others and stood the Jews in good stead ever since,” stated the Supreme Court Judge. “Education, education, and yet more education was the key.” On the panel of speakers were Muslim speakers who shared their experience of the challenges that Muslims face in the climate of isolation and prejudice that they encounter. Muslim comedian and law student Nazeem Hussain reminded the audience of the powerful role of humour in illustrating serious issues, focusing on the young Muslim experience. Kazim Ates, businessman and active member of the Muslim community, highlighted some of the issues concerning Muslims and integration.

While the concept of non Muslims was not new for the Turkish migrant, the experience of living in a predominantly non-Muslim environment engendered surprising results. “We actually discovered our religious and cultural identity here in Australia,” he stated. “We didn’t hear about Gallipoli until we got here.  We realised we had something in common and we could build on that.” Going to school in rural Victoria, Kazim quickly realised the importance of building upon shared values such as sportsmanship, loyalty and business ethics. Jewish speakers shared  personal examples illustrating the significance and role that the education system, academia and institutions such as the Jewish Museum and other communal institutions established by the Jewish community had in the successful inclusion of the Jewish community in Australia. Dr Helen Light, Director of the Jewish Museum of Australia, considered the central role of the Jewish museums in Australia in opening doors and building bridges between the Jewish community and the wider Australian community.

Built within the last thirty years, these museums offer a crucial space to present stories, construct identity and “transfer memory from one generation to another,” according to Dr Light. “While museums are secular organisations, they are important venues to discuss cultural identity and talk about religion.” Dr Light alluded to plans within the Muslim community to establish museums and discussed their place in helping communities achieve inclusion in wider society. “They teach the value of diversity, share the importance of respect between different people and provide a model of a community that has been able to make a real contribution to society.”

The II. National Social Cohesion Conference Image Gallery