As Australians, we havethe right and duty to participate in public life. We already participate in the economy, media, academia, the arts and other aspects of Australian life. We also make use of various services provided by governments at all levels. Why not also participate in who is to govern us?Whether we like it or not, governments at all levels affect our lives. Often they do this without any need to consult with us, the ordinary citizens.By selecting our governments at Federal, State and Local Government level, we are selecting who will make decisions on our behalf. Our vote does count.
Australian Muslims are just as Australian as anyone else. We are affected by government decisions and laws. We have a stake in ensuring good government. And in a democratic system like Australia’s, we have an even greater say than many Muslims enjoy in Muslim countries.Some of you will have read a saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he said: "The Angel Gabriel once lectured me on the rights of neighbours with such vigour that I was expecting him to reveal that a Muslim would have to include neighbours as a beneficiary in their will".
In a sense, all our fellow Australians are neighbours. Voting is a key method of helping ourselves and our neighbours.Further, there are certain areas where governments feel they can adversely affect the specific interests of Muslims with impunity. For instance, draconian anti-terror laws have the effect of compromising the civil liberties of all Australians, especially Muslims. We need to fight these and other laws and policies that adversely affect Muslims. We also need to get the message across that such laws and policies not only affect Muslims but all Australians.
At all levels of government, elections are won and lost at the margins. In other words, governments of all parties seem to take more notice of the needs of constituents in marginal seats. If we look at the composition of metropolitan marginal seats in Sydney, we find almost all of these have substantial Muslim communities. Muslim citizens in these seats have a particular responsibility to vote. Our votes do make a difference, especially in marginal seats.Australian Muslims love this country. We enjoy the freedoms and rights that we have. We enjoy economic prosperity and liberty. If we refuse to vote, we are showing the height of ungratefulness.
The Federal election of 2007 is being described as one that will shape the next generation.Make sure you don’t waste your opportunity to have a say in your future. It is clear that Australian Muslims have a chance to play a major part in this and future elections.
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AustMET is dedicated to supporting the Muslim community’s engagement in Australia’s political landscape. It is a coalition of Muslim organisations.
http://austmet.org
Assalaamu-Alaikum Brothers and Sisters. The Federal Election is on Saturday 24 November 2007 and it is important that every eligible Australian Muslim casts a valid vote. In this guide we provide some basic information that will help you make your vote count.
Questions to Political Parties+ Responses AustMET submitted a list of seventeen questions to the major political parties:
Friday 16/11/07- Australian Greens response received (PDF document);
Monday 19/11/07- Australian Labor Party confirms that it will respond; Tuesday 20/11/07- Australian Democrats response received (PDF document);
Friday 23/11/07 – Nothing received from the ALP or Liberal Party of Australia. Read more… Muslim Electorates – House of Representatives 2004Election Results The following table presents a list of Muslim populated electorates based on the House of Representatives results forthe 2004 Election. See why you shouldn’t waste your vote(PDF document) – updated 23/11/07, 9am.
Muslim Voters’ Guide 2007 In this guide we provide some basic information that will help you make your vote count. The Guide is available in English, Arabic and Turkish… Read more… LATEST MEDIA: Liberal shame over fake pamphlet Nov 23 2007 – Despite statements of condemnation and disgust by John Howard and members of the Liberal Party over the distribution of fake flyers playing on anti-Muslim sentiments, it has been revealed that this is not the first time the Liberal Party has been caught out using such tactics. Ed Husic, a Labor candidate for the seat of Greenway in the 2004 election was also the subject of a racist letterboxing campaign. He believes the latest revelations prove race-baiting is an established Liberal party technique. The2007 bogus pamphlet carries the ALP logo and is from the non-existent "Islamic Australia Federation". It applauds the Labor Party for supporting Muslim terrorists.
FULL STORY: http://www.smh.com.au/news/federal-electio…5321949397.html
Poster & Brochure: Don’t throw your vote away Make your vote count PDF Posterand PDF Brochure. More… How does it all work?
Authorised by:Ahmed Kilani, AusMET, Suite 5, Level 1, 38 Railway Pde Lakemba NSW Australia 2195 – 0433 165 590 – akilani@optusnet.com.au AusMET (Australian Muslim Electoral Taskforce)http://austmet.org