No words mean more today than those on the front page of the Bendigo Advertiser.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“Today’s decision is a testament that the judicial system of Australia is and always will uphold justice and fairness for all.
“The Muslims of Bendigo would like to thank every organisation and individual who has supported us.
“The Bendigo Muslim community has always supported peace, harmony and fairness, and will continue doing so. The Bendigo Islamic Centre will be a great asset to Bendigo. It will be a centre for understanding, education and cross cultural and inter-faith dialogue.
“We acknowledge that the objections to the Bendigo Islamic Centre have been within legal and democratic rights provided by the Australian constitution. We believe people have freedom to express their opinion, however it should be in a peaceful and respectful manner. We condemn any form of violence and intimidation’’
The Bendigo Muslim community has been respectful and shown grace in their response to a drawn-out legal battle.
A battle fought by those opposing the mosque, which was based on misinformation and untruths. A battle that deliberately created fear, incited hatred and division. A battle that afforded our Muslim community little respect, or grace.
It was such an an unnecessary battle.
It is indeed every individual’s right to practice their faith – and that we have about 300 Australian Muslims from 25 different nationalities living in Bendigo means something, but also means nothing.
It means something because Muslims have been living in our city for many years, peacefully and respectfully. They are an important part of our community. Our friends, our colleagues. It means nothing because like many people, our Muslim friends have been living in our city for many years peacefully and respectfully.
Our Muslim community has been practicing their faith in meeting rooms for many years, and deserve the freedom to do so in their own place of worship – just as many others have the freedom to do, in our city.
Bendigo has a long and proud history of embracing people of all cultures and who practice all faiths – who are entitled to practice their chosen faith free of judgement and hate. The High Court decision now allows this to happen.
Nicole Ferrie, editor