Muslim community concerned about Minor's protests, Calls on youth to go to school
Community continues to condemn US invasion of Ira
q Following unprecedented acts of violence against young Australians rallying for peace, the Muslim community appeals to
young people to postpone the April 2 rally and to adults to be on hand to ensure that whatever gathering takes place
will remain peaceful.
"The invasion of Iraq has already claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, it has maimed and injured
hundreds more and has destroyed property and infrastructure worth tens of billions of dollars and threatens to engulf
the region in widespread bloodshed. We respect the sentiments of those who wish to protest against the war and commend
the Australian public for taking the moral ground in opposing this totally unjust war." Said Mr. Keysar Trad,
spokesperson for the Lebanese Muslims Association.
"The invasion of Iraq is proving to be the most unpopular war in modern history. The Australian public has
overwhelmingly rightly condemned this war. This is the great Australian spirit of fair go and respect for the right of
others to live in peace." Said Mr. Trad
"In acknowledging that not all young people will receive this message, we encourage all concerned Australians and
parents of protestors to be on hand to provide guidance for young people and to ensure that the gathering remains
peaceful. Please do not allow your children to go on their own, please be with them at all times tomorrow." Said Mr.
Trad.
"The use of ethnic descriptors at last Wednesday's rally has led to an escalation in the vilification against Muslim
Australians, we call on the NSW Carr government to initiate an inquiry into the police handling of the rally and the use
of divisive ethnic descriptors thereat." Said Mr. Trad.
"We praise the peace movement in Australia for organising peaceful rallies and call on all protestors to always remain
peaceful, to ensure that all protests are lawful, to remain united with the anti-war coalition and rise above all forms
of provocation." Said Mr. Trad.