The Pakistani and Muslim community has strongly condemned the terror attacks that killed 50 Muslim worshippers in two mosques in Christchurch last Friday.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Arden has called the incident as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.”
SBS Urdu reached out to local community members to find out what about community sentiment in the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks.
Here in Australia we are a multicultural, multi-faith community and we need to focus on that and not get distracted.
Syed Muhammad Abbas Abidi, President of the Pakistan Welfare Organisation in Australia said that the whole community is mourning.
“This was very tragic. It was a coward terrorist attack which we strongly condemn as a community,” he said.
“May it be anyone, human life is precious and we should stand against such people.
Some of the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre. Source: SBS News
“The community is concerned moving forward that such incidents don’t happen in the future.” he further added.
Story of Faisal, a survivor of the Christchurch terror attack in Urdu:
Shazia Syed an Urdu faculty coordinator at the Victorian School of Languages Urdu said that Friday is a day of prayer and reflection, when to see such an incident on the news really 'shakes you up'.
“When you migrate to countries like New Zealand and Australia you generally feel safe but events like these are a reminder that no one is safe anywhere,” she said.
“None of my friends or family members were directly affected, but just by looking at the news I can feel the pain of families losing their loved ones.
“It still feels unbelievable that such a tragic incident happened in a country like New Zealand.” she added.
Ayesha Bux, a representative of SalamFest (the annual Muslim Arts festival held in Melbourne) told SBS Urdu that she went into an 'emotional paralysis' and it took her 24 hours to process what had happened.
A relative weeps while showing the picture of Sohail Shahid, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings, on his cell phone. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary
“The first thought I had was that I wished I was there as well as our belief tells us that dying in such a manner you are considered a martyr,” said Ms Bux.
“The second thought was of sadness for the families and our community. This has been long coming, it is the outcome of underlying hatred that exists in our society against Muslims.
“By and large Australian people are great, a lot of people from interfaith communities have reached out to share their condolences and continued support,” she added.
Story of Faisal, a survivor of the Christchurch terror attack in English:
Victoria Police reassurance
Andrew Crisp, Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner reassured the community that Victoria Police is committed to provide wellbeing and safety for all Victorians and will continue to provide additional security where deemed necessary.
“The message needs to be loud and clear that what happened in Christchurch will not define and lead us,” Mr Crisp told SBS Urdu.
“Here in Australia we are a multicultural, multi-faith community and we need to focus on that and not get distracted”
David Webb was born in Australia and has spent all his life here. He is the secretary at AMAFHH a (non-for-profit organisation) and converted to Islam over six years ago.
He said that he has a lot of confidence in the Australian system that such an incident will not happen here.
“I can understand a lot of people around me are worried and anxious but I am confident in the Australian system to prevent such a calamity from happening,” he said.
“It is a very terrifying thing to see that kind of mass shooting happen, especially when it is targeting people based on their identity and faith.
“I think we are doing a great job in Victoria of addressing the kind of social isolation issues that can lead to extremism,” he added.
Open Mosque Day
Sunday, March 17 was Open Mosque Day around Victoria - an annual event hosted by the Islamic Council of Victoria.
Fawad Abro is a committee member at Doncaster mosque and was one of those guiding people around on the open day.
He said there is no sense of fear going to your local mosque - rather people are showing up in increasing numbers.
Victorian mosques held an Open Day to build cross-cultural understanding. Source: Phillipa Carisbrooke
“More than 90% per cent of people who showed up at Doncaster mosque were non-Muslims,” said Mr Abro.
“They were there to show solidarity with our community we were able to tell them about Islam and demystify conceptions about it.
“It was also a great opportunity for dialogue between the Muslim community and political class.
“The message given to the political representatives who attended was that the rhetoric and behaviour towards Muslims needs to change.” he further added.
Christchurch Terror Attack:
Fifty people have been killed and another fifty are being treated for injuries after the mass shooting on Friday 15th March at two local mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Brenton Tarrant a 28 year old Australian man has been taken into custody and has been charged with one count of murder.
An in-depth investigation is being conducted by security agencies and the shooter is expected to appear in the High Court on 5th April where further charges are expected to be laid.
Australian authorities are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
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