I see no role that religion plays in government and nor should it, says Mehreen Faruqi: PHOTO: MEHREENFARUQI.COM
Faruqi was selected by a postal ballot of party members, from a field of seven in a contest in which only women could run.
She is all set to become part of Australia's first and oldest parliament in New South Wales in July as the first female Muslim in any of Australia’s state, territory or federal parliaments.
While Muslim groups worry that Faruqi will face problem in merging the teachings of Islam and Greens policies, she believes that faith should have no bearing on Australian politics.
“I see no role that religion plays in government and nor should it. I am not a spokesperson, you know, for religious Islam. There are many other MPs who are Christians and likewise they are not spokespeople for the church," she stated.
"And, like I said earlier, I joined the Greens because of a really strong position on sustainability, social justice, human rights [and] multiculturalism.”
“She would support things such as gay marriage and that is directly in conflict with the teachings of Islam. I do not know whether she is going to stick to that, how she is going to harmonize between the two," Keysar Trad, the founder of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia said.
Faruqi studied environmental engineering after she migrated from Pakistan with her family in 1992 and is a professor at the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales.
As the ethnic diversity increases in Australia, analysts expect more participation from minorities in the political arena.
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Australia is not Muslim. Any one can achieve their potential if they have talent. In Pakistan, you have to be a camel herder descent to succeed.
Its great to see Pakistani expatriates moving for progression and recognition all over the world. This is an other proof of that. It would have better, if this gentle lady would have introduced her and should have given her resume too for the knowledge of general public. Just a name and saying she is from Pakistan seems a bit itchy.
@amir jafri: You are right we should feel proud of Malik Ishaq,Mullah Nazir,Faisal shehzad,Khalid sheikh muhammad,Hafiz saeed e.t.c.Seriously if you hate the west so much stop using their language.Seriously its people like you who give muslims a bad name.
why Pakistanis jumping with joy....for what? Westerners look for and cultivate these mir jaffars and mir sadiqs...Most Westoxicated ones in Pakistan are already their representatives...Our Amabassador to US worked/works for US interests.
Three cheers for her!
We Pakistanis feel proud that a Pakistani born Muslim woman became a member of Australian Parliament, whereas she herself feel shame to be identified as a Pakistani or a Muslim. Neither her Pakistani nor Islamic identity is the reason to achieve the position. She will wholeheartedly condemn the acts of religious fundamentalists and sectarian criminals in Pakistan.
I sense Chinese hand in promoting the LGBT rights. Their toy industry is booming. Read somewhere that their toy exports are over $3 billion a year and they control over 90% of the world market in this sector.
PS: As a person of Indian origin, I have to take this stand after the recent China - India border conflicts. Pakistani origin of this lady confirms this.
While in Pakistan all Pakistan born candidates must prove that not only they are true Muslims but also that Ahmedis Muslims are not Muslims before they can even participate in general elections. The funniest part of it is that even Ahmedis Muslims have to declare that they are not Muslim.
We're proud of u Mehreen! I share ur views
This is possible only in a non Islamic nation It is inconceivable that such a privilege would be granted to non Muslims in Islamic nations.
I hope this reconsiders her views. Islams needs to enter politics. Islam is a total system of every day life. It is politics. It is economics. It is medicine. It is everything.
Now we will start being proud on her... lol .. shortage of HEROES at home.
I am disappointed in her stand on favouring Gay marriage contrary to her religious values. Imran-Sydney
This is proof that Pakistanis have no excuse to blame the rest of the world and "the West" for discrimination because they're Muslim or Pakistani. If you have the talent and integrity, most foreign countries will give you far more respect than you could ever hope for in your home country (especially as a minority or woman). If anything, given this country's track record, Pakistanis are a lot more accepted internationally than they should be.
impressed
Good stuff. As long as being a muslim does not affect the way she does her job, who cares which religion she comes from.
May her tribe increase !!
I see no role that religion plays in government and nor should it Such beautiful words.
Go girl. Mae us proud!