The Premier of NSW Thinks Very Little of Muslims
There must be accountability for what happened at Monday night’s protest. Even if a public apology were issued, it would not be enough without an independent investigation and real consequences. Not another meeting and not another statement. There must be consequences.
What happened that night was a violation of one of the most sacred acts in our faith, prayer. Men and women in prostration were thrown, dragged, and kicked. This is a desecration of something fundamental to who we are. I wonder what Muslims working within the Police Force think of their fellow officers who executed the command to throw worshippers from their prostration posture.
Chris Minns created the environment
The Premier himself created the environment in which the assault on our group prayer took place. Speaking about the actions of the NSW Police Force, the Premier disingenuously spoke about a strong “good relationship” with the community. There have been engagements, yes, but often in crisis, often to prevent escalation, and often under pressure. If the Premier believes that a statement and a handshake will do the trick, he has miscalculated. If anything, it shows how little he thinks of the Muslim community.
When citizens need to protect worshippers from police
And here is the question that must be confronted: what does it say when peaceful worshippers needed civilians to shield them during prayer, not from others, but from the police themselves? The very institution charged with protecting public safety became the source of danger. Ultimately, the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police is responsible for what occurs under his command. Accountability in this case must mean consequences. The decisions that resulted in worshippers being assaulted while praying must result in those responsible stepping aside or being removed.
"Engagement"
Going forward, the community must reassess what “engagement” has actually delivered. If proximity does not translate into protection, especially in our most sacred moments, then we must ask hard questions about what we are sustaining and why. This is not about outrage, even though we are outraged, but about dignity, and dignity demands more than an apology.
Justice for all
I also want to acknowledge every person who was subjected to harm that night by the NSW Police Force: the woman left with broken vertebrae, the 16-year-old restrained and injured, the councillor pepper-sprayed, the member of parliament struck, the journalists pushed aside, and the unnamed protesters punched and dragged. Each incident represents a breach of the duty owed to citizens exercising lawful rights. Justice for worshippers cannot be separated from justice for all who were harmed. Accountability must extend to every one of them.
