Australian Muslims Condemn Paris Attacks
17 November 2015 at 9:49 am
The peak body for Australian Muslims has condemned the Paris terrorist attacks describing them as “heinous” acts of violence.
President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, (Muslims Australia), Hafez Kassem, denounced the “heinous act of violence in Paris and other parts of the world”.
He said Australian Muslims were as shocked and shaken as the rest of the Australian community at the senseless killing of innocence.
“We are saddened, pained and share our condolence with those who have lost loved ones and we pray for the recovery the injured and safety all human beings,” Kassem said.
“Muslims are outraged by this and other criminal acts committed by criminals and there is no basis or justification in Islam for such merciless acts of terrorism.
“We stand together, united in our efforts to bring an end to this criminal madness that plagues societies across the globe.
“We are equally moved and hurt at what has happened, our plea to the wider Australian community is not to blame Islam or Muslims for these criminal acts and not to harbour resentment or target women and girls especially at this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy, our will is strong and we pray to Almighty God to keep this nation united and safe.”
The attacks attributed to Islamic State extremists included a series of shootings and explosions targeted multiple Paris locations, killing at least 129 people and injuring more than 300.
The main attack occurred at the Bataclan concert hall, where gunmen killed at least 89 people.
Gunmen shot and killed dozens of people in separate attacks on multiple Paris restaurants and suicide bombers struck outside the Stade de France, where France was playing Germany in a soccer match.
