Jihad Dib: The Christchurch massacre is a chance for young people to show us at our best

I looked into the eyes of children ranging at a local Islamic school. I tried to muster the words to ease their pain and reinforce just how valued they are within our Australian story. It’s not the first time I have spoken about belonging, nor will it be the last, writes Jihad Dib.

• Callous Christchurch opportunism is reprehensible

I had just finished a speech at a Citizenship Ceremony to welcome our newest Australians when my phone buzzed … it buzzes a lot, but since Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch, it hasn’t stopped.

The request was to visit a local Islamic school to speak about the horrific events at a hastily organised assembly.

Being the final week of election campaigning, every moment is accounted for but having felt the impact of these awful events, I knew this had to take priority; after all, these are our children.

Jihad Dib at a western Sydney primary school. Picture: Christian Gilles

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I’m not one to always write and read speeches word for word, preferring to deliver speeches from the heart.

I looked into the eyes of children ranging from Year 4 through to Year 12.

I tried to muster the words to ease their pain, allay their fears and reinforce just how valued they are within our Australian story. It’s not the first time I have spoken about belonging, nor will it be the last.

I am immersed in an electorate of more than 150 different cultures; it’s a beautiful community but sadly, often stereotyped, marginalised and undervalued.

Our area is an example of what is great about our Australian narrative.

We celebrate each other’s special occasions and we grieve together when one of us feels pain and loss.

A group of students sing in front of flowers left in tribute to victims at the Botanical Garden in Christchurch. Picture: Anthony Wallace/AFP)

And there I stood … telling them it was OK to be sad, to cry, to hug one another, to be angry and to be scared.

They are human reactions and it’s perfectly normal to feel numb at this time, however, I pressed the point that we cannot be consumed by anger, by fear or a desire to retreat within our shells. If we did that, we would be dishonouring the souls of those so brutally taken.

I spoke of our beautiful Australia, of how, over the weekend, we saw people of all faiths as well as those with none, of different colours, different backgrounds, from all parts of the state, all grieve together.

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The attack in Christchurch is not something that only affects Muslims, rather, it affects all of us.

Our Australian story, one of migration stretching back 60,000 years, has had its shameful moments but it is also a story of great success and opportunity. I told them of how a son of Lebanese migrant factory workers was still able to be a member of parliament. I told them of the fact that my name draws all sorts of unwarranted critics, hate and abuse, especially from cowards online, but it had never deterred me from following my dreams and for speaking up for those without a voice.

Mr Dib believes the massacre has “awakened” us to the fact that we are unified. Picture: Jacquie Manning

I spoke about how our Australia is one where your personal history, your heritage, past, trials and tribulations are so important and the judgement of being a great Aussie is not in a name, the way you look or the clothes you wear, but rather, in the size of your heart and the contribution you make to ensuring this nation will be the best it can.

Kids always fidget during assemblies, I know that from my precious life as a teacher and principal, but they sat on the floor, still and eyes fixed. I could feel the metaphoric cloud lift; not because I had said something inspirational, but rather, because I reminded them they belonged. I will always have a soft spot for young people; we often underestimate the impact trauma can have on them or the need to have a voice.

I said their job was to be their very best self, to practice kindness, acceptance and participation.

I told them they mattered. I told them they were just as Australian as anyone else.

It has been an incredibly difficult few days; for our nation and for our cousins across the ditch.

This incident has horrified anyone with a sense of humanity and the public response has been inspiring.

We know people are inherently good, that an attack of any nature is heinous, regardless of the perpetrator or the victim.

In a tragically ironic way, this terrorist, while seeking to divide us, has awakened us to the fact that we are all one and that we are all in this together. He has forced all of us to reassess how we have allowed the rising tide of hate, the casualisation of racism, the language of division and the misuse of free speech to unfold before our very eyes.

In my inaugural speech nearly four years ago, I said: “I am greatly concerned that far too much is made of a person’s faith, especially when it may prove to win a few votes here and there.

“We cannot talk about an inclusive society on one hand and look to divide it with the other.

“Those who exploit community division in the short term by seeking to achieve a ‘gotcha’ moment must come to realise their actions have long-term ramifications to maintaining a close-knit society.”

In the past week alone, we have seen the worst of people responded to with the best of humanity.

In the darkest of days, we have seen the brightest of lights.

In the midst of hate, we have felt the greatest of love.

We can’t forget the past or understate how we got there, but we must have the resolve to steer the days ahead in a better direction.

Together, we can build our best future. Together we can combat division. Together, we have a responsibility to do our bit to make sure everyone belongs in this great Australia of ours.

We can do this, but only if we unite to do it together; not just for today or a week or a month, but for a lasting change; our children and society deserve nothing less.

I think of those being buried today. I grieve, I am hurt, I am angry, but as I said to the schoolchildren; I will not let it consume me.

I owe it to those who lost their lives, to do everything I can to create a better world.

We all owe them that.

Jihad Dib is Member for Lakemba and Opposition spokesman for Education