Irfan Yusuf

A Muslim, a Buddhist, a Catholic and two atheists walked into the ABC

Eureka street, Mar 1, 2013

Many must have wondered if it was an April Fools joke. Could the ABC really be planning to broadc... more Many must have wondered if it was an April Fools joke. Could the ABC really be planning to broadcast an episode of Q and A worth watching? One without a single pompous pundit or partisan politician? Were we really going to discuss topics relevant to here and the hereafter instead of gasbagging about taxes, polls and overseas conflicts?

Maintaining empathy as Boston mourns

Eureka street, Apr 1, 2013

It makes perfect sense. You go to the hospital to find someone close to you has died or is seriou... more

Vulnerable victims of government hit-and-run

Could this humble Sydney-sider make an observation about Melbourne drivers? It seems each time I ... more Could this humble Sydney-sider make an observation about Melbourne drivers? It seems each time I see them wait for a pedestrian, they can barely restrain the urge to run the poor person over. The other day in Footscray, I saw one driver turning right at an intersection menacingly moving his vehicle forward to a poor fellow in a wheelchair moving quite lawfully in the other direction. As if to make the fellow even more terrified, the forward moves were accompanied by a horn and a few f-words.

Dancing in the dark of western culture

Eureka street, Dec 1, 2019

Most people reading this are probably fortunate enough to feel part of mainstream Australia by ha... more Most people reading this are probably fortunate enough to feel part of mainstream Australia by having pronounceable names, white skin and few religious dietary restrictions. By spending your teenage years kissing people of the same or opposite sex, attending parties and avoiding the worst of bullying in the playground. You won't turn on the TV or radio and see or hear stories of people that share your ancestral strangeness committing awful deeds.

Coming of Age: Growing Up Muslim in Australia

Coming of Age: Growing up Muslim in Australia is a timely new book that explores the diversity wi... more Coming of Age: Growing up Muslim in Australia is a timely new book that explores the diversity within the many Muslim communities around Australia, through the personal stories of Muslim Australians – boxers, lawyers and authors amongst them. Tasneem Chopra is chair of the Australian Women’s Centre for Human Rights and one of Melbourne’s most influential women. Irfan Yusuf is a commentator and author of Once Were Radicals: My Years As A Teenage Islamo-fascist. Together with their fellow panellists, they examine the worlds of sport, sex, religion, humour and society, as seen through an Islamic prism.

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Legacy of a Whingeing Bogan

An opinion is presented that former MP Pauline Hanson's opposition to Aborigines and immigran... more An opinion is presented that former MP Pauline Hanson's opposition to Aborigines and immigrants is now deeply entrenched in the political and social spheres in Australia. It is suggested that an initial temporary strategy of support to her unfair complaints in order to garner votes has now turned into an ideology of marginalisation and racism.

On Reclaiming Christianity from the West

Eureka street, 2009

A discussion on the idea that Christianity is a uniquely Western faith is presented. The author r... more A discussion on the idea that Christianity is a uniquely Western faith is presented. The author refutes the West's exclusive claim on Christianity. He suggests that it is just as inaccurate when Christianity is treated as a uniquely Western phenomenon as it is when Islam is treated as a uniquely Arab phenomenon. In fact, Australia and other Western nations do not have an indigenous Christian heritage unlike South America, Arab League states, Turkey, Iran, Africa and South Asia (among others).

Laughing at Islam

When I was at uni, my best mate's girlfriend took me to a pub. She probably did it just to sh... more

Asylum Seekers Good for Australia's Soul

Eureka street, 2009

The author comments on conservative humorist P. J. O'Rourke's statement that asylum seeke... more The author comments on conservative humorist P. J. O'Rourke's statement that asylum seekers make 'really good Australians' and are 'assets'. O'Rourke reminded us that compassion in the United States for asylum seekers also paid economic and nation-building dividends. That was also the message delivered to the National Press Club on 11 August by exiled World Uighur Congress leader Rabiye Kadeer. The author comments that Australia could easily accommodate the innocent Uighurs from Guantanamo.

Islam's depression tension

The New Testament Jesus befriended the most despised - tax collectors and sex workers. The earlie... more The New Testament Jesus befriended the most despised - tax collectors and sex workers. The earliest followers of Muhammad were slaves and those with no tribal connection. The word sufi is said to come from the phrase as-hab as-sufra (people of the bench) referring to the homeless who lived on a bench in the mosque.

Once Were Radicals

Abuse Comments Fuel Sectarian Prejudice

Two prominent religious leaders Mufti Sheik Hilaly and Catholic Bishop Anthony Fisher cast aspers... more Two prominent religious leaders Mufti Sheik Hilaly and Catholic Bishop Anthony Fisher cast aspersions on sexual assault victims and their families. The differing responses from by media commentators and politicians to these two cases is discussed. The author does not argue that commentators and politicians should cast aspersions on Australian Catholics in the same manner as many did on Australian Muslims. He argues that when sexual assault becomes a cultural or sectarian wedge, it demeans and insults the suffering of all victims and their families.

Vein hope for Pakistan's minorities

Nations can be likened to human bodies. Injury or pain to one part can affect the rest. Key arter... more

Something Rotten in Islam

Abstract: The author argues that the rights of women laid down in Islamic sacred law are only the... more

Who is the loudest and ugliest religious donkey?

Shariah-compliant swimming in Geert Wilders' world

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Minorities Stomped as India Flirts with Fascism

Abstract: Catholic communities and institutions in India are being attacked by Hindu activists wh... more

Muslim and Catholic Pilgrims Share the Wisdom of Travel

The advantages of gaining knowledge by actually travelling, particularly in the context of WYD pi... more The advantages of gaining knowledge by actually travelling, particularly in the context of WYD pilgrimage, are highlighted. The dependence of pilgrims on one another as one cannot undertake a journey on their own, and the process of pilgrimage that helps foster a greater feeling of community among both pilgrims and their hosts, is mentioned.

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