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Pauline Hanson and Sam Dastyari clash over Islam on ABC's Q&A Pauline Hanson and Sam Dastyari clash over Islam on ABC's Q&A
(about 5 hours later)
Twenty minutes into ABC’s Q&A program, Pauline Hanson realised she was sitting next to a Muslim.Twenty minutes into ABC’s Q&A program, Pauline Hanson realised she was sitting next to a Muslim.
The Muslim in question was Sam Dastyari, a Labor senator for New South Wales, who had been recounting the story of his migration to Australia as a five-year-old born in northern Iran in an attempt to rebut one of Hanson’s rightwing One Nation party’s key policies, which calls for a ban on all future Islamic immigration.The Muslim in question was Sam Dastyari, a Labor senator for New South Wales, who had been recounting the story of his migration to Australia as a five-year-old born in northern Iran in an attempt to rebut one of Hanson’s rightwing One Nation party’s key policies, which calls for a ban on all future Islamic immigration.
“When I look at Ms Hanson’s policy document that says we should be banning Muslims from coming to this country, I have to ask: does that mean that a 5-year-old Sam Dastyari should never have been able to set foot in Australia, because somewhere in Tehran there’s a document that says beside my name the word ‘Muslim,’ because of where I was born?” he said. “When I look at Ms Hanson’s policy document that says we should be banning Muslims from coming to this country, I have to ask: does that mean that a five-year-old Sam Dastyari should never have been able to set foot in Australia, because somewhere in Tehran there’s a document that says beside my name the word ‘Muslim’, because of where I was born?” he said.
Hanson turned in her chair to look at him. “Are you a Muslim?” she asked. “Really?”Hanson turned in her chair to look at him. “Are you a Muslim?” she asked. “Really?”
It was hard to tell which panelist was more shocked. Dastyari suggested Hanson was mocking his well-publicised faith to undermine his point about immigration, but she appeared to have genuine questions. It was hard to tell which panellist was more shocked. Dastyari suggested Hanson was mocking his well-publicised faith to undermine his point about immigration, but she appeared to have genuine questions.
“You’re a practicing Muslim? This is quite interesting,” she said. “I’m surprised. I did not know that about you.” “You’re a practising Muslim? This is quite interesting,” she said. “I’m surprised. I did not know that about you.”
Larissa Waters, the Queensland Greens senator, interjected: “Why, because he doesn’t have three heads?”Larissa Waters, the Queensland Greens senator, interjected: “Why, because he doesn’t have three heads?”
It was an exchange typical of Monday night’s hour long discussion, which was dominated by Hanson, a Queensland senator-elect for the One Nation party she founded, fielding questions from Islamic audience members. It was an exchange typical of Monday night’s hour-long discussion, which was dominated by Hanson, a Queensland senator-elect for the One Nation party she founded, fielding questions from Islamic audience members.
I have never understood why it is so hard for some people to embrace peaceful Muslims and condemn Islamic extremism at the same time. #qandaI have never understood why it is so hard for some people to embrace peaceful Muslims and condemn Islamic extremism at the same time. #qanda
The first question was from Praba Sekhar, who asked about strategies for early intervention to prevent radicalisation following the Bastille Day attack in Nice, France, and Cindy Rahal, who asked Hanson to define the difference between an ideology and a religion and explain why she felt Islam was the former. The first question was from Praba Sekhar, who asked about strategies for early intervention to prevent radicalisation fater the Bastille Day attack in Nice, France, and Cindy Rahal, who asked Hanson to define the difference between an ideology and a religion and explain why she felt Islam was the former.
A different opinion was offered by questioner Caroline Freckleton, who suggested politicians were either “extremely arrogant or extremely naive” in thinking Islamic communities could integrate into non-Islamic societies, before cameras turned to Khaled Elomar.A different opinion was offered by questioner Caroline Freckleton, who suggested politicians were either “extremely arrogant or extremely naive” in thinking Islamic communities could integrate into non-Islamic societies, before cameras turned to Khaled Elomar.
Elomar told Hanson that he had shown his 11-year-old son her YouTube videos when he asked what “Islamophobia” meant and asked, for the sake of his son watching at home, whether her own Islamophobia was based in hatred, fear, or ignorance.Elomar told Hanson that he had shown his 11-year-old son her YouTube videos when he asked what “Islamophobia” meant and asked, for the sake of his son watching at home, whether her own Islamophobia was based in hatred, fear, or ignorance.
None of the above, Hanson said. Her concern was for the safety of children who wished to live in peace and harmony, as one nation.None of the above, Hanson said. Her concern was for the safety of children who wished to live in peace and harmony, as one nation.
It's excruciating having someone on TV tell someone else what their religion is about. "Your religion says..." #QandAIt's excruciating having someone on TV tell someone else what their religion is about. "Your religion says..." #QandA
“Your policies are simply a contradiction to your own One Nation party,” Elomar replied. “You’re not creating a One Nation party. You are creating a dysfunctional country by isolating a religion … [if] you keep on going down this track, I will fear for my wife’s life. I will fear for my kid’s life.”“Your policies are simply a contradiction to your own One Nation party,” Elomar replied. “You’re not creating a One Nation party. You are creating a dysfunctional country by isolating a religion … [if] you keep on going down this track, I will fear for my wife’s life. I will fear for my kid’s life.”
The other panelists – education minister Simon Birmingham, Nick Xenophon Team leader Nick Xenophon, Waters, and, most frequently, Dastyari - interjected on occasion to make it clear that they did not share Hanson’s views. The other panellists – the education minister, Simon Birmingham, Senator Nick Nick Xenophon, Waters, and, most frequently, Dastyari – interjected on occasion to make it clear that they did not share Hanson’s views.
Hanson was elected on the 2 July federal election and expects the One Nation vote was high enough to elect anywhere between two and six more senators nationwide, once preferences were distributed. Guardian Australia’s psephologist, Ben Raue, says the party is likely to have three senators, including Hanson. Hanson was elected at the 2 July federal election and expects the One Nation vote was high enough to elect anywhere between two and six more senators nationwide, once preferences are distributed. Guardian Australia’s psephologist, Ben Raue, says the party is likely to have three senators, including Hanson.
The controversial politician’s appearance on Q&A sparked competing protests outside the ABC’s studios in Ultimo, Sydney. About 300 people waved placards against her and, further down the road, another group of 100 protested in support of her.The controversial politician’s appearance on Q&A sparked competing protests outside the ABC’s studios in Ultimo, Sydney. About 300 people waved placards against her and, further down the road, another group of 100 protested in support of her.
Inside the studio, Dastyari pressed Hanson on whether she would allow his five-year-old self to settle in Australia.Inside the studio, Dastyari pressed Hanson on whether she would allow his five-year-old self to settle in Australia.
She replied that it was “ridiculousness” to compare 1988, when Dastyari and family arrived in Australia, to “what is happening now and today in the world with the terrorist attacks.” She replied that it was “ridiculousness” to compare 1988, when Dastyari and family arrived in Australia, to “what is happening now and today in the world with the terrorist attacks”.
“So today I couldn’t come into this country,” Dastyari said.“So today I couldn’t come into this country,” Dastyari said.
Mohammed Attai, a questioner who introduced himself as a Muslim version of 2003 Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, repeated Dastyari’s election night offer of a halal snack pack, inviting Hanson to dine with his family. Mohammed Attai, a questioner who introduced himself as a Muslim version of 2003 Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, repeated Dastyari’s election-night offer of a halal snack pack, inviting Hanson to dine with his family.
“Out of respect to you and your beliefs, while we have something halal I’ll ensure what you have is something not halal, a haram snack pack,” Attai said. “Would you kindly accept my invitation?” “Out of respect to you and your beliefs, while we have something halal I’ll ensure what you have is something not halal – a haram snack pack,” Attai said. “Would you kindly accept my invitation?”
THIS GUY. GREAT GUY. #qanda pic.twitter.com/3D3z2LHWwwTHIS GUY. GREAT GUY. #qanda pic.twitter.com/3D3z2LHWww
Hanson had reservations and wasked what a haram snack pack was. Upon receiving the explanation that it was assorted kebab meats, apparently unaware that haram is something forbidden under Islamic law, the opposite of halal, she replied: “Sure, we can talk. You get in touch with my office and see what happens, yeah?” Hanson had reservations and asked what a haram snack pack was. Upon receiving the explanation that it was assorted kebab meats, apparently unaware that haram is something forbidden under Islamic law – the opposite of halal – she replied: “Sure, we can talk. You get in touch with my office and see what happens, yeah?”
“Seriously, would you be prepared to sit down with Muslims, and particularly with his family, since he’s offered, and try and understand things from their perspective?” host Tony Jones asked. “Seriously, would you be prepared to sit down with Muslims, and particularly with his family, since he’s offered, and try and understand things from their perspective?” asked the host, Tony Jones.
Yes, Hanson replied. As long as it’s not halal.Yes, Hanson replied. As long as it’s not halal.