Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Canberra (Fides Service) - The tragic bombing of the Australian embassy in a Jakarta “reminds us of how close the issue of terror is to our shores and emphasises our need for peace and reconciliation”: according to a statement from Caritas Australia.
The statement expressed confidence that the Australian and Indonesia governments would meet the emergency and humanitarian needs of those affected. Instead Caritas would focus on “prayer for the victims and their families and continuing support for programmes that build a sustainable and lasting peace around the world”.
People in Australia were profoundly shocked by the bomb attack on their country’s embassy in Indonesia. It comes as the country is preparing for a national election in October.
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, religious communities in Australia reaffirmed their commitment to separate terrorism from the name of God. On September 11 in Melbourne religious leaders joined forces to condemn terrorism. Leaders from the Christian, Jewish and Buddhist communities congregated at Australia’s largest mosque stated unanimously “violence cannot be committed in God’s name”. The leaders were invited to the Sunshine mosque by Ibrahim Dellal, acting president of the Turkish Islamic community, who said “A Muslim cannot be a terrorist and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim” and he said his community has been angered by terrorists who have been killing in the came of the Muslim religion. “It is not an Islamic practice. It is not done. You cannot take a life because you have not given a life, it is not up to us”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2004 lines 23 words 235)
