Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last fortnight I attended the Islamic Council of Victoria in West Melbourne for Victorian Mosque Open Day, when 15 mosques across Victoria opened their doors to the public and Victorian Muslims opened their hearts to build relationships with their non-Muslim neighbours, strengthen community spirit and break down misconceptions about Islam. Through their hospitality, Victorian Muslims helped the wider community to combat Islamophobia and hate speech and to see beyond the negative and skewed media reports. The ICV's Victorian Mosque Open Day was launched in 2017 as part of Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Week. Thousands of Victorians attended a local mosque and got to know their Muslim neighbours and learn about the Islamic faith and the diversity of Muslims. Visitors were treated to guided tours, hijab tutorials and henna and tattoo art.

In 2019 I attended the mosque open day that was immediately after the horrific Christchurch massacre, where over 50 people were shot dead and dozens were wounded by a right-wing Australian-grown terrorist. Amongst those brutally murdered were children, women and elderly members of the New Zealand Muslim community. It is essential we commemorate this day each year to stand in solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers and to renew our strength in collective purpose towards fighting right-wing terrorism and— (Time expired)

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.