Being Muslim in Australia

The dark days of the White Australia Policy are a chapter of the nation’s history often swept under the rug. An immigration policy based on race is best left in the past, but should not be forgotten.

Hanifa Deen’s latest non-fiction narrative, ‘Ali Abdul v The King: Muslim stories from the dark days of White Australia’ tells the stories of some of the diverse people who lived through these times. Deen brings to life the ‘Ghans’, cameleers, ‘sepoys’, hawkers, herbalists, and pearl divers who are little known in our history.

Researching for her book, Deen writes of the adrenalin rush she felt as she uncovered in the National Archives a treasure trove of papers and photographs that document the lives of people from these times.

The author will share some of their stories at Ashfield and Balmain Libraries this month while she tours nationally to launch her book.

The Melbourne-based writer is an outspoken human rights advocate who has time not only for history but also for the wrongs of now.

“I have an irreverent sense of humour and speak my mind. I was encouraged to do this growing up, I don’t feel that I suffer from any form of censorship,” Deen says.

She believes more people need to have the courage to speak out about injustices. She points to the example of immediate blame being placed on Muslims for the twin terrorist attacks in Norway before it was known they were carried out by a lone ultra-rightist operator,

“There are loads and loads of decent Australians who disagree with the spotlight on Muslims all the time, but they don’t write to the newspapers, they don’t ring up the radio stations. They don’t speak out. Sometimes we keep silent when we should speak out more,” Deen says.

She says Islam is responsible for giving her a strong sense of what is right.

“I grew up in the days of the White Australia policy, therefore the Islam that influenced taught me was the example of my parents who were devout practicing Muslims who taught me everything I ever learnt about social justice and honesty and unselfishness. Those were the role models for me,” Deen says.

Author talk: Hanifa Deen

Friday August 12, 12noon at Ashfield Library

Wednesday August 24, 6.30pm, Balmain Library