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E d i t or s P i c k
Solidarity
Amidst Terror
T h e A u s t r a l i a n r e s p on s e t o t e r r or i s m
When I first heard about the events going on in
Market Place in Australia, I prayed that not only
would the situation end peacefully but also that the
hostage taker was not Muslim. Sadly, my prayers
were not answered as the hostage crisis in Lindt
Chocolat Café ended with the deaths of two
hostages and the hostage taker, Man Haron Moni.
Details of hostages being forced to put up a flag
that was reminiscent of the ones championed by
ISIS with the declaration of faith of Muslims
inscribed on it, was enough to label this a terrorist
attack. My fear was that there would be retaliation
by some to the many peaceful Muslims living in
Australia because of the horrendous actions of a
despicable madman. But what actually transpired
following these events, surprised me in a profound
way and rekindled my faith in humanity.
Soon after the end of the hostage crisis and
even during it, questions arose of what kind of
backlash would be directed against Muslims and
other ethnically similar citizens. This is why the
numerous stories of support towards Muslims
caught me offguard. A woman named Rachael
Jacobs voiced on Twitter of how she saw a woman
on a train taking here hijab off in what was
probably silent fear of being potentially harassed,
or worse. Jacobs then went on and described how,
“I ran after her at the train station. I said ‘put it
back on. I’ll walk with u’.
She started to cry and hugged me for about a minute
– then walked off alone.”
There was another story of a man reportedly
verbally harassing a woman wearing tradition
Muslim garb on a subway train and fellow
passengers telling the man to leave her alone. Stories
like this inspired the hashtag #Illridewithyou which
soon took over Twitter. Messages outpouring support
by many Australians towards the Muslim community
drowned out the threats and criticisms of rightwing
groups. The media coverage of the hostage crisis also
made it a focal point to emphasize the deranged
antics of the lone hostage taker, Monis. They relayed
how Monis had a very sizeable criminal past with
numerous charges of sexual assault, fraud,
harassment, and even an accomplice to a murder,
clearly expressing that these horrible actions were
the work of a criminal who acted alone. You didn’t
hear about some conspiracy other than that he may
have been emboldened by ISIS. Instead, you heard
about how he was a lunatic that had nothing to do
with real Islam that is practiced by the peaceful
Muslims living in Australia and all around the world
and how fellow caring Australians supported these
people. I somewhat doubt that this would be the
reaction by the United State if it happened here but
maybe America could use a ride from the Australians
and learn a thing or two.
~Shaiful
Opinions from the editors:
Each Issue, we will attempt to discuss an islamic
concept from a different, non-traditional
prespective. We hope you enjoy our musings. Also
be sure to browse our reading suggestions - a list of
books we believe to be interesting/beneficial.
A MUNA Youth Publication