Author: annette-tzavaras

I wish to express my sympathy to our Australian and New Zealand Muslim counterparts. An analysis of the New Zealand carnage shows how Australians and New Zealanders in effect rely on distance when it comes to the tragedies committed in the name of God around the world. Yet we seem to be catechised when such activities occur on our doorstep. National pride swelled at the horrific news and empathy shone through for our New Zealand Muslim counterparts. What if we maintain this state of mind? Could we prevent further racist actions? From time to time when such events snatch the headlines, we create a platform so our communities can express hostility and sympathy against violence, then life goes back to normal. Continuity of the empathy displayed in New Zealand is called for, each one of us can contribute just by following the word of God. Treat others just as you want to be treated. In the words of Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, “Human rights are what reason requires and conscience demands. They are us and we are them” (Annan, 1997, p.1). In Australia and New Zealand this millennium, Muslim people, are our neighbours, our workmates, our Doctors, our school teachers, our shop keepers, our friends and in many cases our relatives. How can we create a more conducive public policy that honours our Muslim...