| When grief is dismissed, when injustice is normalised, and when suffering is met with silence, the consequences are felt far beyond the borders of the conflict zone. |
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AFIC: The Genocide in Gaza Continues — The World Must Not Look Away
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) is appalled by the latest reports of atrocities committed in Gaza, including the horrific attack on a Palestinian wedding celebration, where joy turned to horror as Israeli forces struck civilians during what should have been a moment of life, love, and resilience.
This is a part of a sustained and systematic campaign of violence that continues even as diplomatic talks resume behind closed doors. While ceasefire discussions involving the United States, Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt offer a faint glimmer of hope, they cannot, and must not, obscure the fact that the genocide continues unabated.
“There can be no justification for bombing a wedding. No context that excuses targeting civilians as they celebrate a moment of unity and happiness in the midst of devastation,” said Dr Rateb Jneid, President of AFIC. “This is the raw reality of what Palestinians are enduring and the world is turning away.”
AFIC is deeply concerned by the growing silence from political leaders and institutions, including here in Australia. This silence sends a clear message: that Palestinian lives are disposable, that their grief is invisible, and that justice can be indefinitely deferred.
But the violence is not remote. It is being felt here at home. The Australian Muslim community, and indeed all people of conscience, are reeling. The trauma is real. The grief is deep. And the psychological toll of watching loved ones, ancestral homes, and cultural identity destroyed with impunity cannot be overstated.
To ignore this reality is not only morally wrong, it is socially dangerous. When grief is dismissed, when injustice is normalised, and when suffering is met with silence, the consequences are felt far beyond the borders of the conflict zone.
“We are told to move on while our screens show children pulled from rubble, families wiped out, and a wedding celebration turned into a massacre,” Dr Jneid added. “This is not something our communities can, or should, simply absorb in silence.”
AFIC once again calls on the Australian Government to break its silence and take a principled stance. That means publicly condemning the ongoing atrocities, imposing sanctions on those responsible, and withdrawing support from any systems enabling this violence.
There can be no credible path to peace while the killing continues. No ceasefire can hold without justice. And no moral society can look away while weddings become funerals and children become martyrs.
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AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President |
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