MUSLIM COMMUNITY CALLS FOR CALM AFTER ANTI-TERROR RAIDS

19 September 2014

His Eminence, the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad and leaders of a number of key Australian Muslim community organisations wish to reassure all Australians that they have nothing to fear from their Muslim neighbours who want peace and security for everyone regardless of religion. Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad reiterated that: “We have a vested interest in the safety and security of Australia.”

The individuals arrested and charged yesterday should be accorded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. “Everyone should allow the judicial process to take its full course without prejudice,” said the Mufti of Australia.

Community organisations have reported a dramatic increase over the last few weeks in incidents of abuse and discrimination especially against Muslim Australians. We call on anyone who may have suffered a hate or bias motivated crime to call and contact the nearest police station and to report it using a special Facebook page that has been set up to register these incidents.

We call upon politicians and the media to refrain from using the raids to inflame hatred of certain segments of the community. The focus of attention should be on the alleged criminality of those involved and not on rhetoric which serves only to promote disharmony. “Fair-minded Australians should not allow bigots and media shock jocks to undermine the cohesion within society,” said the Mufti of Australia.