Adelaide’s Islamic community gathers for Friday prayer a week after Christchurch massacres

A week on from the Christchurch massacre, the Adelaide Islamic community came together to pray for peace in the face of evil, writes Andrew Hough.

• Vigils held for Christchurch shooting victims at Adelaide mosques

They came from all over Adelaide to a place of peace and harmony — from the very young to the very old, across faiths and cultures, unified by hope borne out of horror.

A week after 50 of their brothers and sisters were slain in two Christchurch mosques, Adelaide’s Islamic community gathered for Friday prayer.

And in a powerful show of support, westerners of other faiths — or none — came to pay their respects with their fellow Australians.

Dozens silently filled the Marion Mosque after crossing a sea of flowers and cards of support from across the community.

Inside the mosque, also known as Masjid Omar Bin Alkhattab, there was a nod here, a handshake there, even a hug for a mate. Some stood and murmured their prayers. Others sat and reflected.

Manhal al Fdaus and Nathan Checker at the Masjid Omar Bin Alkhattab, in Marion. Picture MATT TURNER.

Among them were Syrian refugee Manhal al Fdaus, 37, and his Australian friend and “brother” Nathan Checker, 44, both of Sturt.

For those whose legs were too frail, a chair was taken. A wheelchair-bound man proudly took his place in front.

The rich, red carpet was soft on the shoeless feet. It was an extraordinary scene, with a pervading air of calm and peace.

On the walls were children’s handwritten peace messages as well as explanatory notes about Islam, Allah and the rejection of terrorism.

Police protection at the Masjid Omar Bin Alkhattab, in Marion. Picture MATT TURNER.

At 1.32pm, the Imam climbed the wooden stairs to his minbar — an Islamic pulpit — as the sun streamed through the mosque’s stained glass windows, setting its chandelier ablaze with sparkling light.

Greeting the faithful with “salaam” — “peace” — Mohamed El Sayed, 36, began praying in Arabic.

He is the mosque’s acting Imam after its spiritual leader flew to New Zealand.

Despite the size of the congregation, there was only devout silence and reflection.

The gathering gave both the faithful and the wider community the opportunity to pray for the innocent souls who lost their lives a week ago while praying in a mosque.

For the next 35 minutes, the Imam delivered his “khutbah” message of peace and hope in the face of evil.

Preaching a message of “patience with the trials and tribulations with Islam”, he quoted from the Koran in Arabic and then translated.

They came from all over Adelaide to a place of peace and harmony — from all ages, across faiths and cultures — unified by hope borne out of horror. Picture MATT TURNER.

“Today I want to talk to you about the blessings of hardship,” he began, the crowd listening intently. “How,” he asked? It teaches humility, patience and reliance on Allah, he said.

Muslims, he added, endure many trials in life, because sins are expiated and followers can then “perform good deeds”.

But, he added, only good can repel evil, by winning the hearts of enemies. “Don’t respond to insults by trying to massage your own bruised ego. Anger, rage and revenge are not the way,” he said.

“Repel evil with what is better. The Prophet has taught us to respond with good deeds to those who are evil to us. And forgive whoever wrongs you.”

And then a message all humanity should heed — the importance of a civil reaction without resorting to violence.

Friday prayer at the Masjid Omar Bin Alkhattab in Marion. Picture MATT TURNER.

“The attack on any Muslim or any innocent person anywhere around the world is an attack on all Muslims and all people,” he said.

“This is a human and international tragedy. An attack on any mosque or any public place of worship is an attack on all mosques and all public places of worship.

“These acts of terror are there to divide us and the wider Australian people and we reject this in all its forms and ways but rather we will stay united and strong.”

Echoing that plea for unity, worshippers and visitors stood as one, and emerged together into the sunshine.

The Advertiser attended with permission.

Originally published as Adelaide’s Islamic community gathers for Friday prayer a week after Christchurch massacres