https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/24969401/muslim-christian-clergy-condemn-terrorism/
Muslim, Christian clergy condemn terrorism
Ehssan VeiszadehSeptember 11, 2014, 7:16 pm
Senior Muslim and Christian leaders have condemned the sectarian bloodshed in the Middle East and vowed to uphold Australia’s security.
Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, head of the Chaldean Catholic community Archbishop Gabriel Kassab and six other religious leaders released a joint statement denouncing all forms of “violence, sectarian discrimination and terrorism, especially in Iraq and the Middle East”.
“We stand in solidarity with the displaced families in the region who have every right to live free from fear, and we pledge any support that eases their hardship,” the statement said on Thursday.
The leaders also pledged to “uphold the safety of our homeland Australia and Australian people”.
“This is an integral part of our divine teachings,” the statement said.
“We affirm our commitment to continue this solidarity and maintain open lines of communication with each other and with the Australian government.”
Joseph Wakim, of Arab Council Australia, commended the religious leaders for speaking out against violent extremism abroad.
“What they’re trying to make sure is that it doesn’t come home to Australia,” he told AAP.
“They’re really trying to buffer it by saying to all these angry youths who are out there trying to take the law into their own hands that they don’t have any sort of blessing (from their religious leaders).”
The statement comes amid a federal government push to tighten counter-terrorism measures.
The Abbott government says it is concerned that dozens of Australians who are fighting in Syria and Iraq might bring their extreme ideologies back home.