A rare display of solidarity at the Open Day of the

Canberra Islamic Centre

Report: Mohammed Ali, Canberra

Defying all ill based narrative against Muslims in global media including Australia, defying all prevailing ill perceptions regarding Islam and Muslims across the world, Canberra Islamic Centre and many major Islamic Centres and mosques across Australia today observed people from different faiths, and people not following any faith, converging to express their solidarity with Australian Muslims. The day provided a unique opportunity to Muslims to help eroding some misconceptions about their religion.

The Open Day ceremony at the Canberra Islamic Centre was poised by the presence of US ambassador to Australia Excellency John Berry, Pakistan High Commissioner Her Excellency Naila Chohan, Moroccan Ambassador, Tunisian Ambassador, ABC TV's Chris Ulman, Federal Member of Parliament Ms Gai Brodtmann, Labor Senator Ms Kate Lundy, ACT Legislative Member Mr Brendan Smyth representing Liberal Senator Zed Seselja, Director Multicultural Affairs ACT Mr Nic Manikis representing ACT Multicultural Affairs Minister Ms Joy Burch, Multicultural Affairs ACT's Ms Jancye Winter, SBS TV's Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton, Forum Australia Vice President Mohammed Ali, Leaders from Catholic and Anglican Churches, Quakers representatives, Imam Adam Konda, Chair ACT Interfaith Forum Mr Dean Sahu Khan, ACT Police Acting Chief David Pryce, Members from various Muslim organizations, a large group of Canberra citizens from all walks of life - all sparing their time to be with Muslims of Canberra ensuring them their support in this hour of need. A rare show of solidarity and a rare sense of togetherness that was very much captured as being the Australian values in the speech from Branden Smyth. Senator Kate Lundy in her speech presented how Muslims since 1700 century have been contributing to the development of Australia, a sentiment matched by Hon John Berry when he counted contribution of American Muslims in the development of America - today and in the past.

Azra Khan, President Canberra Islamic Centre and her team must be proud of organising the event and showing the real face of Muslims, a religious group who believes in constructing not destructing, who believes in togetherness not isolation, and who believes in harmony and not in destroying the very fabric of society, which is made of love, passion, tolerance and compassion.

While all this was going at the center, my mind was wondering that when all these golden words and matchless sentiments are being expressed by so many eminent speakers why then there is so much chaos today in the only world we have, why a group globally and locally is feeling so uncomfortable. Is it because we, Muslims, have been completely misunderstood, is it because current global politics has by design eclipsed the good side of Muslims and have mistakenly taken a few to be the representatives of Muslim community. I am sure that when current clouds will pass and a clear sunlight will get rid of the currently prevailing mist, many will recognise that Muslims are peaceful people as they are also part of the same Abrahamic religious string that bind Jews and Christians together.

As an Oak tree was planted today at the Islamic Centre, a gift by Hon John Berry, and, as some olive trees were planted by prominent religious leaders from different faiths as symbol of solidarity and mutual harmony, let us pray that this day becomes the start of a new chapter in the book of harmony and tolerance.

Let us together build a better world - and if we are committed to do so we can not ignore to take Muslims together in this effort.

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