Perth Muslim leaders seek an environment of healing, justice, and understanding

Perth’s most senior Muslim leaders want a thorough examination of all elements of the stabbing incident that ended when police shot dead a mentally ill 16-year-old boy last Saturday.

CCTV footage shows a teenager wielding a knife before being shot by police after stabbing a man in a suburban car park in Perth. Picture: 7News

Perth’s most senior Muslim leaders want a thorough examination of all elements of the stabbing incident in the city’s south that ended when police shot dead a mentally ill 16-year-old boy last Saturday.

An alliance of 37 Muslim leaders, scholars and pastoral care groups have issued a signed statement expressing their “sympathy and support to all the victims involved. This includes the man who survived the stabbing, as well as the grieving parents of the young boy who lost his life due to a fatal shooting by the police”.

“Understanding the pain and anguish that the parents of the young boy are going through, we emphasise their solidarity and extend their deepest condolences,” the group said.

“The parents of the boy, and the public, have the right to raise questions and seek clarification regarding any potential flaws within the system that failed to prevent such a devastating outcome, and perhaps a call for a thorough examination of the events leading up to the tragedy is warranted.

“The Perth Muslim community stands united in support of all the victims involved. They aim to foster an environment of healing, justice, and understanding, as they navigate the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident.

“As the investigation continues, the alliance of faith leaders urges the community to come together, offering solace and strength to those affected by the incident. By joining forces, they hope to bring about necessary changes and ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat itself in the future.

“In the greater interest of the nation and for the sake of social cohesion, we urge the media to exercise responsible journalism and pay due attention to the underlying causes of this incident. This incident, in which a young life has been, lost should not be used to sow the seeds of division but rather to bring the nation together.”

The leadership group paid tribute to WA police for “avoiding premature conclusions” over the violent tragedy, and looked forward to the outcome of the police investigation, but explained what a distressing time it was for the state’s Muslim community.

“We must all stand together to ensure our Western Australian community remains strong, peaceful and compassionate,” the group said.

“It is only by working together that we can maintain, protect and support this community that we all love so much.

“We ask all citizens to remain calm, composed and united.”

The Muslim leaders wrote and signed the letter on behalf of the vast majority of Muslims in Western Australia.

While commentary from the Ahmadi sect had featured in media reports in the days after the boy’s death, the statement provided to The Weekend Australian was from Muslim mosques, leaders and pastoral care organisations acknowledged as authorised to speak for WA Muslims. This includes the Perth mosque, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Australian Islamic Imams Council, Islam Australia and the Islamic Centre of WA. The leaders of each of these organisations signed the statement.