In an article written for the Daily Telegraph under the alarmist headline “We are living in very troubled times”, newly elected MP Andrew Hastie claims there’s a problem with Muslims in Australia, and that’s everyone’s business.
“Now, more than ever, is the time for the Australian Muslim leadership to systematically and clearly make the case that Islam is a religion of peace.”
Why? Because IS are Muslims and, according to Hastie, IS are dictating the narrative to Australian Muslims.
“Islamic State is controlling the narrative by their violent actions and Australians want reassurance from those who have an intimate knowledge of the Koran.”
Because anyone with an intimate knowledge of the Qur’an is susceptible to IS propaganda, and needs to “reassure” people like Hastie that they’re not terrorists.
“I do not claim to be an expert on Islam or the Islamic faith. But I am not ignorant of the some of the realities of Islamic terrorism. And I know that ideas have consequences.”
So what is Mr Hastie’s area of expertise in these matters?
“I have read the Koran in its entirety. In my previous job with the Australian Defence Force, I studied Islamic State propaganda including many of its violent videos and images in an effort to understand their objectives, aims and rationale.”
Yep, a man whose entire expertise on this matter comes from reading the Qur’an and watching IS propaganda would like reassuring that Muslims who read the Qur’an aren’t having their beliefs perverted by IS propaganda.
“I think that we should be free to question the roots of Islamic terrorism, especially the brand pushed by Islamic State. It is troubling that we have had young Australians sympathising with the theology and ideology of Islamic State.”
That’s a question Hastie expects all Muslims, not just IS, to answer.
"Modern Islam needs to cohere with the Australian way of life, our values and institutions. In so far as it doesn't, it needs reform"
Because the problem with Islam is that it has violent overtones:
"I'm not saying Islam is a religion of violence, I'm saying that at the moment Islamic State are projecting that image and people are picking that up."
According to someone who constantly reminds us he's a “War Hero”, and former SAS officer who served in Afghanistan and the Middle-East.
“I’m calling on the Australian Muslim community to lead the Australian public in a discussion about the theological roots of Islamic extremism. It should not be off-limits.”
Because if we all want to understand Islam as well as Mr Hastie understands it just from studying IS propaganda, we need to ask some hard questions of Australian Muslims.
“If we are serious about understanding Islamic State, let’s apply the same standard of criticism to the ideas that inform its vision and inspire its followers. Let’s ask the hard questions and find the answers.”
So if we’re serious about understanding Andrew Hastie, let’s apply the same standard of criticism to ideas that inform his vision and inspire him. Let’s ask the hard questions and find the answers.
“There’s no religious test in this country for public office.”
So when asked about his father, a Presbyterian preacher who advocates creationism:
"I won't go into what people ask me about him, because frankly it's not relevant."
Those ideas don’t have consequences?
"His views are his views and as an Australian in this democracy he is entitled to those views."
What about ideas expressed on a religious blog administered by his wife, expressing homophobic views on marriage equality?
"A blog was posted in relation to the issue of homosexuality and Ruth was responsible for posting that, but she was not the author of it."
But he repudiates those views right?
"People should be free to express their views on this subject without fear of persecution."
But that has nothing to do with Hastie’s “correct and conservative view on traditional marriage” (which means he opposes it).
“You’re not hearing me mate. I’m talking about public policy. You’re trying to drag us – people are sick of this crap. People are sick of trying to drag petty issues into public policy issues.”
Quite. So while it shouldn’t be off-limits to hold Australian Muslims responsible for the actions of a terrorist organisation whose only relationship to them is to call themselves Muslims, when it comes to Hastie’s relatives:
"Questions have been raised to me by the media which focuses on my wife and my father and I think that is totally unacceptable. I have no problem with people coming after me, but just make sure you come after me and not my family"
Because when it comes to Islam
“We've seen what Islamic State have been doing for the last few years and the average Australian can make the connection that there is something going on between the ideas of Islam and what Islamic State is doing."
And when it comes to Andrew Hastie's religion:
“The belief that there is a God endows every person with dignity and it inspires me to treat people with equality, and so my faith has taught me to love others, not judge others.”
Sometimes.
“Why then do we refrain from asking the hard questions of extremist Islamic theology and ideology?”
But according to Andrew Hastie, he isn’t the one who needs to reassure Australians that he is a man of peace. Hastie, after all, was elected to lead.
“My formative experiences as a leader have been with the Australian Army on operations.”
That’s one thing he’s always happy to reassure us about.