New Muslim candidate Ahmed Ouf’s surprise response to October 7

Local pharmacist Ahmed Ouf has announced himself as an independent candidate for the historically safe federal Labor seat of Blaxland, held by Education Minister Jason Clare. Hear what he stands for.

Pharmacist and candidate for the seat of Blaxland Ahmed Ouf, talks with media in Auburn. Picture: NewsWire /Jeremy Piper

A Muslim independent candidate looking to unseat a senior Labor minister in south west Sydney is convinced that peace can be achieved in the Middle East.

Ahmed Ouf on Tuesday announced himself as a candidate for the historically safe federal Labor seat of Blaxland, held by education minister Jason Clare.

He failed to directly answer whether he viewed October 7 — the date of attacks on Israel — as a day of celebration but said he was determined to work with other faith communities despite the growing division in the aftermath of the Gaza war.

“There are hundreds of Palestinian families that are living here, I do hear the cries of these families and the cries of the community,” he said.

“I do believe that Australia has matured enough not to be the follower but to become a leader on an international level. It’s time for us to intervene and stop the genocide that happening in Gaza.”

Mr Ouf greets a member of the public in Auburn on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire

Mr Ouf was present at an October 7 vigil at Sydney’s Town Hall, where he said he led a prayer that “represented peace”.

“Being there on October 7 with my comrades — the Jewish and the Christians, it was a message to the Australian people and the world that we can exist together in peace,” he said.

“We started praying together to send a message to the people in Gaza, in Palestine and in Australia that peace can be achieved, but we need justice, equality and freedom for all.”

The 45-year-old is the second independent to run for a Labor seat in western Sydney after Dr Ziad Basyouny announced he would challenge Tony Burke for Watson.

When asked if he was aligned with the The Muslim Vote, he reiterated he was an independent candidate but hoped for the support of the organisation.

Mr Ouf, a pharmacist who immigrated from Egypt, said Labor was “disconnected” with its voters in the region — and not just when it came to the conflict in Gaza.

“Our community needed someone standing up for them, to stop the genocide in Gaza,” he said.

“But it’s not just about Gaza for me, it’s a crucial topic, but so is the cost of living, the unemployment, the healthcare system … I’m a professional myself and we are struggling in Blaxland.

Mr Ouf greets a member of the public in Auburn on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire

“I am running because for the last few years it was an extremely safe seat for Labor and that’s why I believe they abandoned us,” he said.

At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mr Ouf said peace in the Middle East could be achieved if the region adopted Australia’s cultural values, with the seat of Blaxland being the perfect example of different religions existing peacefully.

“Look at Blaxland. It’s a place where everyone — Christians, Muslims, Buddists, Hindus — are living together peacefully,” he said.

Mr Ouf talks with the media.

Mr Ouf walks the streets in Auburn.

“What brings us peace is the equality, the justice and freedom we all have. I believe we can preach, we can advocate, we have to understand that in order for peace in the middle east, the values that we have here in Australia should be there in Palestine.

“Christians, Muslims, Jews are equal … When they all are equal in the eyes of the law I believe this will all stop.

He also took a swipe at Israel, describing its “brutal occupation” of Gaza.

“What’s been happening in Palestine for the past 75 years is a brutal occupation. A system of oppression that no one deserves,” he said.

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Originally published as New Muslim candidate Ahmed Ouf’s surprise response to October 7