Oct 13 2001 – Prime Minister John Howard is under renewed pressure to follow the example of other world leaders and visit a mosque to show his unambiguous solidarity with Islamic minorities.
A leader of Melbourne’s Islamic community has extended an invitation to Mr Howard to do so, as the tally of attacks against Australia’s Muslims continues to mount.
Yasser Soliman, the president of the Islamic Council of Victoria, yesterday said Mr Howard was being evaluated “for the things he has done and hasn’t done”, as were other political leaders.
“He’s made encouraging statements about Muslims in the community, but in terms of communicating with our community I think we need to develop closer relationships … We invite him, and I’m sure other Muslim leaders invite him, to visit our mosques.”
A spokesman for Mr Howard said the Prime Minister had received a number of offers to visit mosques and that he was expected to take one of them up soon.
Mr Soliman’s call comes as social commentators and ethnic leaders continue to criticise Mr Howard for failing to visit a mosque in the aftermath of September 11. This in contrast to US President George W.Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who made such visits a priority to calm a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment across the West.
Mr Soliman said harassment against Victoria’s community peaked after the attacks and had since dropped off. But he warned the decline in reported incidents might be partly explained by many Muslim women opting to stay home out of fear and by school holidays.
A Victoria Police spokesman said about 20 minor incidents had been investigated and some were found to be politically motivated. But he declined to give details to avoid copycat actions. Community leaders were passing on information about more incidents, but more specific reports needed to be filed, he said. “We are pleading with people to come forward,” he said.
Muslim and Christian leaders on a tour of vandalised churches and mosques in western Sydney yesterday condemned attacks on places of worship, saying those responsible were deplored and disowned.
They inspected damage from a petrol bomb thrown through the window setting pews alight at the Greenacre Uniting Memorial Church about three weeks ago.
They also viewed damage caused to Lidcombe’s Church Of St John Vianney by petrol bombs.
Dr Abraham Abu Mohamad, speaking through an interpreter from the Australian Institute of Islamic Culture, condemned the vandalism and called for peace among all religions.
“As a Muslim I would like to assert our position that we are against any form of vandal attack against any church or any place of worship or any mosque for that matter,” he said. “Whoever is responsible for this vandal attack is not a Muslim nor a Christian, such people are disowned, they are condemned they are deplored. We are all Australians and our message is one of peace.” — with AAP
ATTACKS ON MOSQUES SINCE SEPTEMBER 11
Western Australia: One suburban mosque defiled with human faeces, attempted firebombing of another.
South Australia: Arson attack this week causes $15,000 damage.
Queensland: Arson attack destroys mosque.
New South Wales: Attempted firebombing.
Victoria: Graffiti on Preston mosque, rock thrown into window of Doveton mosque, bomb threats on other mosques.