SOUTH-WEST refugee advocates are calling on the community to change their way of thinking on immigration.
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It comes as a national poll circulates, calling for a ban on Muslim immigration.
The Essential Research poll found 49 per cent of Australians supported One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson’s push to ban Muslim migrants to Australia.
The most common reasons for wanting a ban were fears about terrorism and a belief that Muslim migrants did not integrate into society nor share Australian values.
Katherine Stewart from South West Victorian Love Makes A Way (LMAW) says there should be no barriers to accepting people in need.
“If people come to us seeking asylum (Australians) have a fantastic opportunity to offer them a place to settle in safety, thrive and become part of our community. I don’t see the relevance of their religion,” she said.
Warrnambool Rural Australians for Refugees representative Richard Adams said the global attention was fuelling ill-feeling.
“If enough fear is generated about a certain issue, people are bound to react,” he said. “When we demonise a group of people, it builds up and builds up.”
Mr Adams said judging a person by their religious beliefs was unfair and inhumane.
“Most people who come to this country with Muslim backgrounds are fleeing terrorism and need our assistance,” he said.
“A Muslim is not necessarily someone wearing a headscarf. There’s no cut and dry. We can’t put them all in a (stereotype).”
Mr Adams, who spent many years living and working in Jordan with his family, believes the Middle East holds no more danger than any other locale.
“We lived in the Middle East for 10 years and I felt safer there than in the heart of Melbourne,” he said.
A representative from Warrnambool’s Islamic Society, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Muslim migrants were no different to other migrants.
“Every culture is good and bad. We are just religious people who pray. We are not politicians. We do not want any problems,” he said
“I am an Australian. Warrnambool is my home.
“I love Australia and I love the Australian people. I don’t want to have problems with my culture living here.
“We need to respect each other. We must not harm each other.”
