Australian Muslims on alert after Christchurch massacre

Muslims in Australia have been warned to be extra vigilant in coming days particularly when attending local mosques in the wake of the Christchurch tragedy.

Muslims in Australia have been warned to be extra vigilant in coming days particularly when attending local mosques in the wake of the Christchurch tragedy.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Dr Rateb Jneid extended deep sorrow for the victims and families of the attacks in New Zealand.

In the wake of the atrocities and the links to Australia, he urged all Muslims in Australia to be vigilant particularly as Islamophobia increases.

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Police speak with witnesses following the mass shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Picture: AAP

“We encourage all Mosques and places of worship in Australia to be extra vigilant and for members of the Muslim community to be particularly mindful of their safety in the coming days,” he said.

“This act of terror on innocent worshippers is an atrocity and we grieve with the victims and their families. We will reach out to our compatriots in New Zealand and offer any support and assistance that we are able to.”

He added the massacre was a product of the “ever-increasing Islamophobia and

marginalisation of Muslims”.

“It is a reminder to all concerned including political leaders and media commentators, of the horrific consequences that an atmosphere of hate and division can lead to,” he said.

“No country or community is immune to such atrocities. We urge governments in Australia, both at a Federal and State level, to give extra attention to the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and extremism and ensure that the concerns of the Muslim community are being genuinely heard and responded to.”

A victim arriving at a hospital following the mosque shooting in Christchurch. Picture: TV New Zealand via AFP

TIMELINE OF ESCALATING TERROR

NEW YORK, October 31, 2017: A man drove a pick-up truck into cyclists and runners along two kilometres of a bicycle path in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The driver left the vehicle wielding two guns but was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested.

BARCELONA, August 17-18, 2017: Fifteen people died and more than 100 were injured in three separate terror attacks in Barcelona.

LONDON, June 3, 2017: Multiple pedestrians were struck by a van travelling on the London Bridge. Then, on Borough Market the occupants of the van stabbed multiple people before being shot by police. Eleven people died.

MANCHESTER, May 22, 2017: A suicide bomber struck as concertgoers — including many teenage girls — were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena, killing 22 and wounding 116.

PARIS, April 20, 2017: A policeman was killed on the Champs-Elysees in a terror-related attack that IS claimed responsibility for, days before the French presidential election.

STOCKHOLM April 7, 2017: A truck attack killed five people and another 14 were injured as a vehicle was driven down a busy shopping area in Stockholm.

LONDON, March 22, 2017: A terrorist ploughed through pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge, killing four people and leaving more than 50 injured, then killed an unarmed police officer in a stabbing attack before he was shot dead.

PARIS, February 3, 2017: French soldiers shot a knife-wielding man who tried to attack soldiers guarding the Louvre Museum.

ISTANBUL, January 1, 2017: A gunman entered the Reina nightclub in Istanbul during New Year’s Eve celebrations, killing 39 people and injuring 79 others.

NICE, July 14, 2016: A man mowed down pedestrians with his truck, killing 86 people and wounding hundreds, after they finished watching a fireworks show to mark Bastille Day.

ISTANBUL, June 28, 2016: A gun and bomb attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport resulted in 41 deaths. Attackers blew themselves up after police fired back at them.

BRUSSELS, March 22, 2016: Two suicide bombings at Brussels airport and another bombing at the city’s Metro station killed 32 people and wounded more than 300.

PARIS, November 13, 2015: A series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks across Paris killed 130 people and injured hundreds. The terrorists struck the Bataclan concert hall during a rock concert and the Stade de France stadium, while gunmen and bombers also attacked restaurants and bars.

PARIS, January 7, 2015: Two masked gunmen stormed the Paris office of satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people. Within days, a policewoman was killed and four hostages were killed at a Jewish supermarket.