I’m an Australian citizen. I’m law-abiding. OK, I could do more helping out the local community but I pay my taxes (if my income was above the threshold that is) and I’m enrolled to vote and I do vote every election. I mow my lawns, stick to the Level 4 water restrictions and am friendly with my neighbours.

Clearly that’s not enough to call myself Australian.

I’m brown. While it’s true that Australia is “multi-cultural/melting pot” and whatever the in catchphrase is, people don’t actually consider one a True Blue Aussie unless one is white and wears thongs. You can’t just reply “Brisbane” when someone asks where you’re from.

Yes, but where are you REALLY from? I mean…………ORIGINALLY?

I know they’re curious. I don’t look like most people and they don’t mean anything by asking, really. Or do they? Ten or so years ago I wouldn’t have thought it a problem. They just want to know a bit about me. But after ALL this time, people STILL find it strange that a brown person can be an Australian and not be from somewhere else? Am I still that much of a novelty and curiosity?

I don’t drink alcohol and I’m uncomfortable in situations where others are drinking alcohol. I’m not at the pub every Friday arvo (another reason why I’m unAustralian – I hate to abbreviate my words. IT’S AFTERNOON! Your name is NOT SHAZZA!) I am sure there are many white non-Muslim Australians who aren’t at the pub every weekend/lunch/evening but it’s OK for them. They don’t like to socialise, they’re recovering alcoholics, they just aren’t into the bar scene or they just don’t feel like it. See that’s OK, “mate.” It’s just unAustralian for me because it’s against my religion.

I just “stick to my own kind.” Most of the time I hang around my family. I have a small circle of friends alhamdulillah (both Muslim and non-Muslim) and we do get together every now and again (Renee, we really need to catch up!). I am more comfortable around people who have the same interests as I do. It just so happens that I have more in common with other Muslims (no matter where they are from) than non-Muslim Australians. Who’d a thunk it? Why should I hang around people I don’t have anything in common with, or people I feel completely uncomfortable around just to be called an Australian? I’m not really integrating, am I? Kind of like the way Australians on holiday still prefer to hang around OTHER Australians and go to the pub no matter which country they visit. There are ex-pat get-togethers in other countries so people can talk about life “back home.” and where to buy Tim-Tams and lamingtons. You just can’t do that if you are an immigrant living in Australia.

I wear hijab.Australia is the lucky country and we all pride ourselves on what a free country it it is. There is no dress code or traditional dress so people wear whatever they like. No matter if it’s in poor taste. If you want to wear ugg boots or the tightest shirt with your breasts hanging out, then that’s pretty cool. We will support you and defend your right to wear ill-fitting, ugly, beautiful and revealing dress because that’s YOUR right. If you cover your hair as an act of worship or just because YOU want to, non-Muslim males, feminists and politicians will fight for your “right” to not be able to wear it. Even if you want to. Because you know, it’s all about being oppressed. Don’t talk about women-beating and wife bashing and unequal pay because that isn’t oppression. It’s all about the cloth, baby and we all know that Muslim women don’t have a voice...except of course if they are saying, “No” to the headcovering and modest dress. so we have to help those poor oppressed Muslim women. If you are undergoing chemotherapy and wish to wear a scarf to cover your baldness or you are otherwise just having a bad hair day then it’s ok to cover your hair.

I don’t like vegemite. I’ve tried. Really. I just can’t stomach the stuff.

Is it really any wonder that Muslim youth in Australia are feeling so isolated and dejected? I’m a thirty-something old woman and I still feel like I don’t belong here. The media’s portrayal of Muslims and its choice of which stories are newsworthy do little to reassure me.

Edit to add: I’m not trying to bad-mouth this country because I do love it. I love living here. We are relatively safe (my husband is from South Africa so he knows what it’s like to live in a country with a high violent crime rate). We are free to practise our religion without fear of incarceration. We have an excellent health care system (ok – truth be told, it’s not getting better) and education even in public schools is pretty good.

So just in case anyone thinks I am ungrateful – far from it.

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