'Multiculturalism existed before me': Imam confused by Hanson comments

An imam in the small Western Australian town of Katanning says he was more confused than worried when he heard One Nation leader Pauline Hanson say Australia should be "monocultural." Imam Alep Mydie has lived in Katanning for 56 years and says many different cultures have always shared the town. He has invited Senator Hanson to visit and talk with him about her views.

Senator Hanson made her remarks at the National Press Gallery last week. She said Australia's policy of multiculturalism — which means supporting many different cultures living together — was "utterly flawed." She said Australia could have people of many races, but they should all share one single culture, which is called a monoculture.

Imam Mydie did not agree. He moved to Katanning from Christmas Island more than five decades ago, and he says the town was already full of different cultures when he arrived. He added that when his family first came to town, they learned a great deal from Italian, Greek, and other European families who had settled there earlier.

Imam Mydie also said he wanted to sit down and speak with Senator Hanson. "I would like to sit with Ms Hanson and talk to anybody who has the view of that ideology," he said. He made clear he feels fully Australian: "Am I not Australian? Yes, I am," he said simply.

Katanning is a farming town about 300 kilometres south of Perth with around 4,000 people. Its residents come from more than 40 different countries. A row of flags on the main street honours those many cultures, and the town holds an annual Harmony Festival to celebrate them.

Shire president Kristy D'Aprile is proud of what the community has built together. She said people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs have worked hard to form a strong town. "Katanning certainly is very proud of who we are and how our many different cultures work together to form a solid community," she said.

One big reason so many people have moved to Katanning is the local abattoir, which is a meat-processing factory. It has attracted workers from Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and China. Ms D'Aprile said this diverse workforce has also been good for the town's economy.

Federal Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly pushed back strongly against Senator Hanson's comments. She said difference between people is actually a good thing — for the economy, for society, and for the whole nation. Dr Aly also pointed out that diversity in Australia is not new, noting that even First Nations people had many different cultural practices and languages.

One Nation's Western Australia leader, Rod Caddies, defended Senator Hanson's idea. He said the monoculture message is about unity, not about dividing people. "We have a culture that is set on shared beliefs, values and behaviours. For countries to be stable, there has to be a single, overarching culture," he said.