A culturally diverse societyAustralia is a tolerant and inclusive society, a nation built by people from many different backgrounds - Vietnam, China, Greece and the UK are among the top 10 countries that Australians have migrated from.

Cultural diversity has become a touchstone of Australia's national identity. One example of this diversity is the growth of Islam in Australia.

Today, Muslims form an increasingly important part of Australia's diverse modern society and the most recent Australian Census in 2001 revealed a total of 281 576 Australian Muslims living in Australia.Australia accepts and respects the right of all Australians to express and share their individual cultural heritage within an overriding commitment to Australia's democratic foundations and to English as the national language.

www.dfat.gov.au/facts/culturally_diverse.html