Page 688 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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As I mentioned at the Monash mosque last night, the Koran teaches generosity, mercy, forgiveness, love and truth. The mosque in Christchurch, and indeed mosques everywhere, are open to the public. They welcome all. That is what makes this even more tragic: their openness and their willingness to accept strangers into their midst has created such a vulnerability. Their inclusivity has given a way for an evil person to do what they have done. The Koran also teaches Muslims to hold fast in their faith and not be disunited. What we have seen in Canberra, in New Zealand and across the world is Muslims being true to that teaching.
Perhaps unlike any other religion, Islam shares a common language and central pillars of faith and ways in which all Muslims practice this faith, such as Friday prayers. The unity extends to Muslims around the world, being part of an ummah, a community—that is, they are one big family. That is best demonstrated by Muslims referring to each other as brothers and sisters. That is why, when 50 people lose their lives in New Zealand, people in Canberra and right across the world are mourning the loss of brothers and sisters.
The Canberra Liberals stand shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community, with the New Zealand community, and with all those in times of grief. In the Koran, Surah 62, Ayats 9 and 10 state:
When the call is made for prayer on Friday,
hurry toward the remembrance of Allah,
and leave all business.
That is better for you, should you know.
And when the prayer is finished
disperse through the land
and seek Allah’s grace,
and remember Allah greatly
so that you may be felicitous.
On Friday dozens of people were practising their faith in Christchurch. They were at a time of extreme physical weakness and vulnerability. But they were also at a time of spiritual strength and fortitude. And, in amongst this tragedy, I am sure that is of much comfort to their family and friends.
So whilst empathy and mourning are important, we also must harness this time of unity to ensure that we act in a universal way to do everything we can to eliminate violent extremism in New Zealand, in Australia and everywhere. We must ensure that we are honouring the victims of this attack by doing everything we can to stop it from ever happening again.
That is why we need to do some practical things, such as risk assessments at places of worship and making sure we have all the necessary security arrangements in place. But all that is just treating the symptom. The underlying problem is the hatred and violence of extremism. My call to all Australians but particularly Canberrans is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Muslin community and to honour the victims by doing whatever we can to make sure this never happens again.
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