Calls for Unity as 40,000 Muslims Mark End of Ramadan in Sydney
Wednesday marked the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by more than 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide.
Addressing the crowd, Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) president, Samier Dandan, said the rise of far-right political parties in Australia was concerning.
"It cannot be emphasized enough just how disappointing it is to see individuals who preach hate and bigotry gaining power in our elections," he said.
"It is deplorable that such basic misunderstanding of Islam and such flagrant dehumanizing of Muslims and others is allowed to frame public discourse.
"Let us not mince words: such racism and xenophobia has no place in multicultural society.”
The likely election of Pauline Hanson to the senate has been condemned by the LMA and Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane, who fear she will create division in the community.
The One Nation leader has called for a royal commission into Islam and for Halal food to be banned.
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird also attended the event, along with NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley and Federal Labor MP Tony Burke.
Mr Baird told the crowd at Lakemba Mosque vilification would not be tolerated.
Where we see intolerance we must respond with tolerance," he said.
"We must call it as it is. But at the same time we must remember that the strongest way we can combat that is by coming together.”
Mr Foley said the state would send a clear message to far-right political groups.
"To the likes of Pauline Hanson, who seek to spread ignorance and hateful bigotry – we reject you,” he said.
Mr Burke said there would likely be difficult days ahead for Australia’s Muslim community, in light of the election results.
"There will be some people, over the next six years, who try to respond with hate,” he said.
"And there will people who want Australia to be less rich and less diverse and less beautiful.
"[But] the best of modern Australia is multicultural Australia. Our diversity is our great strength.”
Source: SBS.com
