Australian Grand
Mufti: Violence Against Protesters Is a “Moral Scandal” — Calls for an
Independent Inquiry
Sydney – The Grand Mufti of
Australia and Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Union of
Muslim Scholars, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, has strongly condemned the use of
force against peaceful demonstrators in Sydney, describing it as a “moral
scandal” and warning that such practices threaten Australia’s democratic values
and resemble methods associated with colonialism and authoritarian regimes.
Democracy Under Scrutiny
In a statement issued by his
office, the Grand Mufti emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right
in democratic societies, allowing citizens to express support or dissent
freely. He stressed that the demonstrations held last Monday in opposition to
the visit of the Israeli President remained entirely peaceful and posed no
security threat.
The statement noted that
protesters exercised their right “with awareness, responsibility, and
restraint,” adding that their actions were driven by concern for Australia’s
social cohesion, amid fears that the visit could deepen divisions within the
community.
Strong Criticism of Political
Decision-Makers
Dr. Abu Mohammed directed
pointed criticism at political decision-makers, stating that hosting figures
accused internationally of committing acts of genocide constitutes a “grave
mistake” and an unnecessary provocation to the feelings of a broad segment of
Australian society — not only Muslims, but all those committed to social
harmony and civil peace.
The statement read:
“Political decision-making
centers erred in extending this invitation. Instead of building bridges of
trust, they have fueled polarization and undermined the unity of the Australian
people.”
Condemnation of Police Violence
In unusually strong language,
the statement compared the excessive force used by some police officers against
demonstrators to the practices of occupation forces against Palestinians. It
described the scenes as deeply troubling, evoking memories of the era of
Rhodesia in the 1960s.
The statement asked pointedly:
“Are we truly in Australia, or
under an occupying authority that treats its own citizens as enemies?”
A National, Not Sectarian,
Responsibility
The Grand Mufti reaffirmed the
principled stance of the Muslim community in Australia, highlighting their
swift condemnation of acts of terrorism — such as the Bondi incident — often
even before official security responses, and their firm rejection of any notion
of collective blame.
He emphasized that the Muslim
community’s commitment to peace and coexistence stems from painful lived
experiences, including the Christchurch massacre, underscoring that justice
must be applied equally and without bias.
Clear and Urgent Demands
The statement concluded with
several key demands, most notably:
1-
An immediate call for the
establishment of an independent and impartial legal inquiry to hold those
responsible for violence against civilians accountable.
2-
A reaffirmation that the
primary duty of police is to protect the right to peaceful expression, not to
suppress it.
3-
A call to preserve
Australia as a shared home for all its citizens, free from political
exploitation of power or the politicization of state institutions.
(Source:
Al-Ittihad)
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