Calls for calm amid backlash against Australian Muslims and police

The president of the Australian National Imams Council has called for Australians to stay united amid the backlash to the death of a known terror suspect in Melbourne.

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Forensic police handle evidence bags at Endeavor Hills Police Station after a terror suspect was shot dead by police (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

The 18-year-old stabbed an AFP officer a number of times on Tuesday evening, before twice stabbing a Victorian officer in the forearm. He was then shot dead by the officer.

The death follows the largest counter-terror raids in Australian history, speaking backlash against local Muslim communities and individuals.

Sheikh Abdul Azim addressed the media on Friday, standing with the police to call for calm.

“We have to remember that at the end of the day we’re all Australians and we have to look after each other,” he said.

“My message to my fellow brothers and sisters in the Muslim community, I know that you love this country.

“The police are not our police. The police are our protectors.”

Sheikh Azim labelled ISIS as an enemy for the world, adding that the public cannot “blame a great religion like Islam or Christianity or Judaism by the wrong actions of a very few people”.

“Islam is a religion of peace, Islam is a religion of love, Islam is a religion of respect,” he said.

“Please, let’s show our brothers and sisters in the community the real picture of Islam.”

Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay also urged for calm in an effort to avoid further incidents of Muslim men and women being addressed and insulted in public.

Commissioner Lay also urged people to report incidents of abuse.

“If people are racially vilified or insulted, they need to bring these matters to Victorian Police, so we can address them,” he said.

Victorian Police also provided an update on the investigation into Tuesday's fatal incident, saying authorities supported the tactics used by the injured officers in setting up the meeting with Numan Haider, who was shot dead.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton could neither confirm or deny that Haider had been googling Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

He also stated that authorities were confident that a safe environment would be provided for Saturday's AFL Grand Final event.


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By Stephanie Anderson


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