Managing minority religious and ethnic groups in Australia: Implications for social cohesion

Abstract

The author examines Australia’s growing religious pluralism and change within religious communities, including Muslim communities. The meaning of those developments for the concepts of social cohesion and citizenship is considered, as are the possible effects on social cohesion deriving from the lack of a federal bill of rights protecting minority individuals and groups in Australia. Also discussed are the aftereffects of the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York, with the attendant focusing of attention on Muslim communities in Australia and around the world. The passage of dozens of anti-terrorism laws in Australia, and the implications of those laws for limiting the personal and group freedoms of religious minorities, especially Muslims, are examined in terms of concerns about social cohesion. Finally, the debate over whether to allow the development of Shari’a law in Australia and its potential impact on social cohesion are discussed.