REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Three Australian Muslims discussed Muslims life in Indonesia as well as in their country during their visit to Republika on Monday, May, 12, 2014. Among others, they learned that women's roles in Indonesia were progressive. 

"I see women's roles here are progressive and other countries should follow Indonesia," Kashif Bouns said, cited an example as more women worked as journalists in Indonesia. "Since i come to Jakarta, I also learned about the size of the city, and people's politeness as well their hospitality."

The football player visited Republika with two other colleagues, Laila Ibrahim and Mohamed Dukuly, who also shared their experience during their 15 day visit to Indonesia as well as their challenges at home. 

"In Australia, we always in rush, when we get home from office, during work, and so on, but here, i learn about easy going attitude," Ibrahim said. While Dukuly noted the sense of self and courage of Indonesian people to fight for their life. 

"Back home, our biggest challenge is diversity, as we came from different background of ethnicities like Arab, Pakistani, or Malaysian," Dukuly said. "Now we have to make sure that they have access to education, media, and others."

"But i believe that every challenge opens opportunity. Muslims are among the growing number groups in Australia and we have to make sure that they can access to school, media, and others," Bouns explained.

While Ibrahim said that people used to complain about Muslim's challenges in Australia. "In fact, it's not that bad. We are very lucky," she added. "In Melbourne and Sydney, it's easy to build mosque."

Yet, she admitted that media was still new business among Muslim youths in her country. 

"Journalism in Sydney and Australia in general is still new thing. But ghere more and more media including printed newspaper and radios are dedicated for Muslims," the female footballer explained. 

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