This article, from today's Daily Telegraph, provides an interesting look at how some of the Muslim community view social mores. It makes me wonder whether homosexuality will ever be accepted, when a sip of champagne and a woman declining to wear the hijab causes an uproar on a webchat for Islamic youth. The next generation appears to subscribe to these archane believes as vehemently as the last, in some instances. I know they are religious convictions (albeit fundamentalist ones) but it still surprises me.
But good on Iktimal Hage-Ali. I think she's great.


Vilified over sip of bubbly
THE state's most promising young Muslim leader has become the victim of a hate campaign because she celebrated with a glass of champagne after being named NSW Young Australian of the Year.
Iktimal Hage-Ali, 22, has been targeted on Muslim websites for drinking alcohol and declining to wear the traditional hijab. Her anonymous attackers condemned her after she drank the champagne to toast her award at the NSW Art Gallery last Thursday.
"It's true, I was celebrating. Bloody hell, I had a glass of champagne in my hand – so what?" Ms Hage-Ali told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
The Islamic youth website Muslim Village posted dozens of messages berating Ms Hage-Ali.
"A person who drinks champagne, especially unabashedly, cannot represent the Muslim community," one member wrote.
Another added: "She knows we don't appreciate her representing us – but it's the power that drives her. Drinking champagne, that is sick."
The cowardly accusers also berated Ms Hage-Ali for wearing "revealing" clothes, nail polish and make-up.
"Her matching nails, eye shadow and top . . . were not . . . how Islam would like to portray a Muslim female to the wider community," one said.
Yet while the majority criticised her, a few did come to her defence.
"It wonderful that a young Muslim woman has won the award and that is a cause for celebration, not denigration," one chatroom member wrote.
Ms Hage-Ali, who is a finalist for the national Young Australian of the Year to be named next month, said she was shocked by the tirade, but refused to tone her comments down.
"I'm proud of what I have done, my family is proud, my friends are proud, my colleagues are proud," the State Government public servant and tireless community worker said.
"They're not looking at the fact that a young Muslim person has won a prestigious award – they are looking for the negatives."