Don't shout down Muslims: Abbott

HEALTH Minister Tony Abbott has warned against ostracising or "shouting down" hardline Muslims, saying it would be a mistake to dismiss those advocating sharia law as "un-Australian".

In contrast to federal treasurer Peter Costello's attack on "mushy, misguided multiculturalism", Mr Abbott praises multiculturalism, seeing it as a long-term antidote to the fighting shown in December's Sydney riots.

Mr Costello said people wanting to live under sharia law should go where it was practised.

Multiculturalism has been of great benefit to Australia, Mr Abbott said.
After the Cronulla riots "it makes more sense than ever to rehabilitate multiculturalism as an expression of our society's traditional strengths and as a vehicle for building commitment to Australia", he said.

"By stressing respect, it (multiculturalism) aims to foster the kind of dialogue that diminishes the potential for conflict."

*Mr.Abbot , Dhimmi of the day.