Radicalization Prevention – How?

The Immigration Minister Peter Dutton sure has a sense of humour. According to a recent report form the ABC[1] his department is considering enhanced refugee assessment and the monitoring of migrants after they're granted citizenship. Is this a response to recent terror attacks in Beirut, Paris and Jakarta? While Australian security and intelligence agencies have done their utmost to prevent similar attacks in Australia, the death of Curtis Cheng at the hand of a radicalized Sydney teenager Farhad Jabar shows just how much more work need to be done. How exactly does Minister Dutton decide who to monitor? The failure of the Arab Spring had led to the collapse of Libya and Syria. The pace of events is such that the world has been caught flat-footed and not ready for the barbarity of Daesh (ISIS). Our understanding of the world has been turned on its head. Farhad Jabar is of Iraqi Kurd descent, the very group of people who are the victims of Daesh (ISIS). Logically Farhad Jabar should not be your typical Daesh follower. Furthermore the very notions of enhanced citizenship tests invoke memories of the White Australia policy. The monitoring of new Australian citizens has questionable value. Rather than integrating these new Australians such monitoring could alienate them and push them into the hands of terror groups.  

In order to prevent radicalization, we need to know what attracts people like Farhad Jabar to Daesh. In the report on the 2015 anti-Charlie-Hebdo protest (Lakemba, Sydney): SBS highlighted the organiser’s (Hizb ut-Tahrir) attack on Freedom. Sofyan Badar (Hizb ut-Tahrir’s spokesman)[2] said:

“Freedom is the smokescreen with which Western politicians and media conceal the underlying issues.

“In reality free speech is one of the many political tools that are used to maintain dominance over the Muslims.”

I suggest that free speech is not the main issue. Rather Badar’s central accusation is that Christians and Jews have compromised their faith. Badar said:

“Unlike Christianity and Judahism, which has given into the secular worldview, Islam and Muslims have refused to accept this worldview.”

Badar wants to argue that only Muslims are righteous in God’s eyes. Badar is right about the West being secular but he is dead wrong about our sense of righteousness. Yes the West is secular but our Judeo-Christian heritage so permeate our history that even the most ardent of Western atheists find themselves regularly exercising Judeo-Christian righteousness.

In what ways does the Judeo-Christian culture manifest itself in the secular West? I can think of at least two. Firstly it is inherent in the Australian values of “a fair go” and “mateship” and secondly even in the way we swear.

In the 2005 Boyer lecturer, former bishop of Sydney Dr Peter Jensen lamented how the four highly educated authors of the book “Imagining Australia: Ideas for the Future” did not even know standard Bible quotes. They wrote: 'The modern fair go demands that we should do unto others as we would have done unto ourselves'. Ironically the words 'do unto others' comes from the King James Version of the Bible. In the program Doctor Who, the Doctor uses a perception filter to enable him to stand in the midst of his enemies and yet not be noticed. The aliens just do not perceive his presence. In the same way Jesus permeates our society but we are not aware of him and we do not know him. The many fake Jesus: From David Koresh[3] to Alan John Miller and Mary Suzanne Luck[4] just reinforce our lack of knowledge about the real Jesus.

In “What is swearing?”[5] Annelise Parsons listed many kinds of swearing such as abusive swearing, cursing, profanity, swearing for emphasis, blasphemy, euphemistic swearing and so on. Parsons said what is acceptable can change over time and can vary across cultures. In Australia we use “Jesus” as a swear word. Whereas in Cantonese, “go trip over in the street and die” (literal English translation) is, strangely, a swear phrase. But seriously, I have never heard any Buddhist using “Budda” to swear so why do we say OMG or “Jesus” when we swear? Could it be that the Jesus-perception filter is working so well that we no longer recognise the 10 commandments? Yet its unacceptability is so ingrain into our culture that many of us still have unease when “Jesus” is uttered with disdain – even when we are not church goers.

But even if we accept the pervasiveness of Jesus in our culture, how does that help us to stop the radicalization of young people like Farhad Jabar? Rather than asking for an immediate solution perhaps we need to look at the bigger picture. Right from the start of British colonisation of Australia we have inflicted alcohol and disease on our Aboriginal. In recent times, we have seen the rampant rise of not only alcohol consumption but also alcohol related violence. If the loss of culture can wreck such devastation on our Aboriginal think what it can do to us. Think what it can do to new refugee families. Could this loss of culture also be the cause of corruption and abuse with even the Church itself?

In a public interviewed the author Tim Keller argued that prophetic individuals like Martin Luther King Junior, when facing racial oppression, did not abandon their faith. Instead, Keller suggested that like the Old Testament prophets and Jesus, King’s answer was to call on Christians to return to their Christian roots. Similarly men like John Wesley, in the face of moral degradation, returned to Christ. His action further encouraged William Wilberforce to end the slave trade.

Rather than shallow and short term actions to counter radicalization, is it time we look deeper into the Australian culture and ask whether it is time to turn back to our Christian roots? And in this way we can give meaning to young people like Farhad Jabar.

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[1] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/leaked-document-outlines-changes-to-migration/7140952

[2] 'Je suis Muslim': 800 at Lakemba protest - http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/01/23/hundreds-pro-islam-rally-sydney

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh

[4] http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/jesus-and-mary-cult-followers-buy-up-land-around-kingaroy/story-e6freoof-1226055912664

[5] https://www.afes.org.au/article/what-swearing

Safe Cycling - a continual struggle

A couple of days ago I received a phone call from research company wanting to ask me questions about the Coronation Drive bikeway upgrade (Bicentennial bikeway upgrade). Twenty years ago I started taking up cycling. I even did some racing with UQ Cycling club. Around that time I started working for a major electricity distribution company in the centre of Brisbane CBD. This meant cycling 20km to and from work every day. I soon realised that cycling in Brisbane can be dangerous. A cyclist (see article below) was killed cycling along the original Coronation Drive bikeway. The Internet had only started to be popular. After many messages, the word got around and probably the first even mass bicycle ride in Brisbane rode from Toowong to Brisbane's CBD to protest over the safety situation of the Coronation Drive bikeway. So never take the now safe Coronation Drive bikeway for granted. It cost at least the life of one cyclist before the authorities took notice. Cycling is a great way to travel and why should it be relegated by large car manufacturers?

A fair-go is the answer to IS

Given the massive military operation undertaken by a coalition of countries to defeat the Islamic State (IS), one would think that the war against IS has already been won and Iraq restored. Alias no, U.S. officials conceded that Islamic State fighters still control large parts of northern (including the major city Mosul) and western Iraq (“U.S., Iraq Prepare Offensive to Retake Mosul From Islamic State” the Wall Street Journal 22/1/2015). More importantly, the counter-insurgency analyst David Kilcullen (“Remote Control Terror” The Weekend Australian 17-18/1/2015) wrote:

“Finally, it should be clear that there’s no magic bullet here: no technological fix,  … that can protect society from this threat (terrorism). … We need new approaches, designed to break the escalatory cycle of threats and counter measures seen since 9/11. ..” But I believe Kilcullen’s real message is that the front-line of the battle against modern terrorism is neither on the battlefield nor the Internet because Kilcullen went on to write:

“It might also involve a debate on ways to detect and intervene in the radicalisation pathways of at-risks individuals …”

Clearly the International community needs to do more to address why seemingly rational individuals (and even Western educated youths) are being radicalised (“Drop the idea of the lone wolf as a madman: most terrorists think rationally” The Weekend Australian 24-25/1/2015). The problem of radicalisation is further highlighted by the fact that young Australians, in spite of massive Australian government effort, continue to be attracted to IS.

The problem of IS has its root in history. The backlash over the invasion of Iraq (supposedly to rid Iraq of the weapons of mass destruction) and the Syrian Civil War created the prefect condition for the rise of IS. However even before the appearance of IS in 2014, Australia has already have de-radicalisation programs (“Investing in Mentoring and Educational Initiatives:The Limits of De-Radicalisation Programmes in Australia” Shahram Akbarzadeh  Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs Vol. 33, Iss. 4, 2013). Researchers such Dr Clark Jones (“Terrorists can be turned around - here's how” ABC The Drum) also advocate de-radicalisation programs.  If de-radicalisation programs have worked why then does the secular West continue to bleed their youths to the IS cause?  Henry Ergas (“Islamists cannot be permitted to abuse our tradition of tolerance” The Australian 26/1/2015) on the other hand argued that it is “… impossible to lull the intolerant into tolerance …” and therefore “… no Islamist should qualify for Australian residence or citizenship. “ But must Australia’s or even the rest of the Western world be forever polarised between the liberal left and the conservative right? Should we perhaps first ask the Islamists what is it they are riling against? The answer to this question can be found in the media reports on the Anti-Charlie-Hebdo protest at Lakemba on the 23/1/2015. It is interesting that both Associated Press and SBS chose to highlight the organiser’s (Hizb ut-Tahrir) attack on the Freedom of Speech.  At the protest Sofyan Badar from Hizb ut-Tahrir argued that Free Speech is a smoke screen for Western politicians and media to hide the underlying issues.  He further suggested that the West use Free Speech to maintain dominance over Muslims. The idea of the alienated youth is clear but the media completely missed the earlier part of his speech where Badar accuses Christians and Judaism of compromising their beliefs with secularism. Presumably Badar is suggesting that only Muslims (Sunnis? Shiites??, others???) are true believers. So while Muslims argued that it is wrong denigrate the prophet Mohammed but is Badar suggesting that it is OK to denigrate other religions? At the very least his comments show a complete lack of understanding of the Christian faith.  In the Gospel of John, just before Jesus execution on the cross, Jesus explicitly stated “My kingdom is not of this world.” Christians do not need to live in a theocracy. Christians believe that the Good News Jesus Christ is spread by reasoning and love rather than through the threat of violence.  That is not a compromise to secularism rather it is a realisation that God is love.   

Finally Ergas rightly pointed out that the founders of the Australian constitution ensure that Australia is religiously diverse, not favouring one faith or denomination over any other. However Ergas is wrong to suggest that we are to practice our faith privately. No, because this is exactly what Badar riled against. For too long Australians, whether they are secular, Christians and other faiths have been silent on justice and righteousness issues. Australian Christians, in particular, need to stand up when asylum seekers are being denied justice. Australian Christians need to stand beside Australian Muslims when they are being attacked for living out their faith.  After all, our Lord Jesus himself calls on us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness”.  Australians have taken the lucky country for granted, failing to realise we must continue to uphold the Fair-Go idealism. Interestingly, the Fair-Go idealism has its root in the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Perhaps it is time for all Australians (Christians and non-Christians) to revisit Peter Jensen 2005 Boyer Lecture (The Future of Jesus http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/boyerlectures/the-future-of-jesus/3339436) to see how much our contemporary Australian culture is rooted in Jesus because on this Australia Day we need to realise that a fair-go is for all Australians.

We have a duty to refugees

Indian Baby Factories and Same Sex Marriage

My letter to the Courier Mail (not printed) 14/7/2014
 
Why do people continue to push the myth that what we do in private makes no difference (re: Ian Thorpe)? The baby factories in India are looking forward to the passing of the same-sex marriage in Australia. More poor Indian women will be lured to be surrogates for Australian gay couples to satisfy a huge rise in demand for surrogacy. These women are exploited and some will die because they shouldn't even be pregnant.  What we do in private does matter and worse who will stand up for the rights of these poor Indian women?

Thanks for the New Lease of Life

On the Monday afternoon of the 20/10/2014, I woke up from my deep valium induced sleep. My first angiogram was over, the angiogram team did not find any major blockage and I didn't need a stent. I felt like God has given a new lease of life. I am grateful to the Angiogram team consisting of dedicated professionals like Claire, Sarah and Jono (the Cardiologist).  Right from the start while waiting outside the procedure room, Claire reassured me. I was not anxious and even joked with her about the black knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I felt an instant rapport with her and the team. And they are a team, a well-oiled operation with the sole aim of ensuring the best outcome for me. They checked out my ticker and get me on my way for the next phase of my life. But the story did not start or end there. In fact there are a whole bunch of other dedicated workers who worked tirelessly to make my new lease of life possible.

Saturday night, the news of my high calcium score (219) was still sinking in, I felt a tightness in my chest. I re-read the letter from the X-radiology. It is time to call the ambulance. Within less than 10 minutes, Ben and Rachel arrived in their ambulance. In no time they had me lying in their ambulance bed and running an ECG on my heart. They checked my blood pressure and quickly relieve my chest discomfort with a shot of GTN. Another few more minutes they got me and my wife Christine into the emergency department of the Wesley Hospital. Adam (the emergency doctor) and his team ran more tests on me and gave me more GTN as I experience more tightness of the chest. Adam and Ben (the Cardiologist) decided to keep me in for observation and an angiogram. In the meantime a church friend (Jennie) kindly offered to take Christine home while I waited for a room in the Cardiology section of the hospital. Poor Christine not only had to accompany me to the hospital but now has wait to find out what was going to happen to me.

One cannot possibly even understand what a huge scourge heart disease is to Australia until you have journeyed with me. The demand for Cardiology beds (even for a private hospital) was so huge that I had to wait till 2am when they could finally move me out of Emergency. Even in Cardiology I was not alone. The first thing Renee (the duty nurse) asked me was whether I was hungry. The sandwich and the bottle water were most welcome. After some sharing, I discovered that Renee is a natural mother and I felt I was just one of her children! I didn't sleep well and by about 5am the sun was already shining into my room but Leigh brought me much needed cup of tea and breakfast which cheered me up immensely.

Later Sunday, Christine came, bringing some much needed essentials like my toothbrush. Thank God for Christine, the hospital may take care of the immediate health needs; it is the spouse who brings the comfort of home. Later still friends from my Salt and Light fellowship group turned up. Eric, Fan, Jenny, Tinkei and Tracy were like my personal cheer squad getting me ready for Monday, the big day where I find out what is wrong with my heart.

After a better night sleep (although still more tightness of the chest), the dawn sunlight came through the window. The orange glow of the dawn sky along with all those wires on my chest made me think that I am an astronaut completing yet another orbit around the earth on the ISS (International Space Station). This is the big day! Ben (the cardiologist) patiently explained to me what is going to happen. Christine came again to check how I was and Jo (the duty nurse) got me ready for the transfer from the Cardio ward to the procedure room where Claire and her team was ready for me.

In this journey of mere three days, I met many people whom I have never met before. Yet they worked tirelessly for me. Please don't be upset if I didn't mention your name because there are just too many names to remember! But be reassure, I and many more patients are very appreciative of all the sacrifice that you have made to give us all a new lease of life.

The battle against heart disease has to go on but I really wonder whether Australia has her priority set correctly when McDonalds recently announced that they will provide a new fast food service. Is the relentless consumption of fast food and the earth resources more important than spending time with relatives and friends? When the world calls us a sport-mad nation, do they really know that the majority of us merely sit on the side line downing yet more burgers and fries?

Can Love and Perfection Overcome earthquake, tuberculosis and the Evils of World War 2?

Are you sick of the same old computer generated violence that Hollywood continues to serve up movie after movie? Even the Hobbit (a children’s book) could not avoid Hollywood’s lust for violence. If so then you should not go pass Hayao Miyazaki’s animated movie “The Wind Rises”.  The Wind Rises is a fictionalised account of Jiro Horikosh – the designer of the famous A6M Zero. The A6M is a fighter aircraft. In the Second World War, a fighter plane serves two purposes: It can defend ones territory from enemies’ bombers or to protect one own bombers in their mission to bomb the enemy.  As one is drawn into Miyazaki’s story, one realises that this is an anti-war movie. I do have more to say on this question but this is first and foremost a review of Miyazaki’s creative ability. My concern for Miyazaki’s treatment of Japan’s responsibility for the war will come later.

Right from the start Miyazaki uses one of Jiro’s many dream sequences (the animation is vibrantly beautiful) to help the audience become familiar with Jiro’s passion for flying and plane design. Not only that, Miyazaki uses the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 (where Jiro rescues his future wife) and the great depression of the early 1930s to bring out Jiro’s selfless nature.  Growing up with a diet of Godzilla, Ultraman and Japanese animation it is really refreshing to see that Miyazaki’s can use animation to weave together these historical events to build up Jiro’s story.  It would be so easy for Miyazaki to simply dazzle his audience with more and more animation so as to turn his movie into yet another Hollywood feel good cartoon. Instead Jiro the genius aeroplane designer not only dreams of setback but is also plague by real setback that nearly cost the life of one of his pilot. Just when the audience think that life cannot get worse, we found that the love of Jiro’s life Naoko suffers from tuberculosis and will soon die.  To be honest, my eyes were getting quite wet by this stage. However Miyazaki wants his audience to see through all these failures, sadness, and even the evils of World War 2. Why? It is because nothing was going to dampen Jiro’s passion to build the prefect aeroplane.  Naoko rather than demanding Jiro’s complete attention instead left her sanatorium to be with Jiro. Jiro in turn married Naoko even though he knew Naoko’s tuberculosis would mean their time together would be short.  It is this sacrificial love that Jiro and Naoko have for one another that makes it all worthwhile.

It all sound so wonderful doesn’t it? Even though Miyazaki’s Jiro is not the real Jiro, we do know love can do much more than even what Miyazaki can imagine. Why? It is because we have seen the Cross.

Finally one question that I realise cannot be bypassed.  Yes, Miyazaki did point to the futility of war but did he do enough to question Japan’s responsibility? At the start of the war, the Zero out manoeuvre all Allies fighters.  In this way, Japan was able establish air superiority wherever they went. In the city of Hong Kong (where I was born), the Japanese bombers were able to drop bombs on the Kai Tak airport with impunity.  Hong Kong had no hope of defending itself and had to live under Japanese oppression for three years and eight months. As an engineer, I realised that whatever I design or built, it too can be used for evil. On the other hand even Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK47 also had to ponder about the damage that his invention had caused.  Kalashnikov was so troubled that he sought spiritual advice from the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church.