25 years ago I arrived in Australia as a refugee from the Soviet Union. There was no expectation to ‘assimilate’,regardless of what groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir assertOn the final day of October I was given the distinct honour of addressing an Australian citizenship ceremony at which nearly 100 people, from places as disparate as Cote d’Ivoire and the Czech Republic, or pledged allegiance to Australia and vowed to uphold the laws and values of our nation. They proudly sang Advance Australia Fair,many shaming the locals with their command of that elusive second verse. It was a moving occasion, and to play some small piece in it was a privilege I will not soon forget.
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Source: theguardian.com