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ICV is saddened by the events in Brighton on Monday evening
The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), like all Victorians, is troubled and deeply saddened by the events that took place in Brighton on Monday evening at the hands of the violent offender Yacqub Khayre.
We wish to express our condolences to the family of the person that was murdered, and we hope for a speedy recovery for the police officers injured in the line of duty.
It is also necessary for the ICV to correct the public record about its involvement with the de-radicalisation program referred to by the Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney in Parliament yesterday.
The ICV has not been contracted to deliver this program over the next four years. The program is run by Victoria Police and as such, all inquiries should be directed to Victoria Police.
Whilst there is debate about this individual’s motives for this callous and evil crime, what is clear is that Mr Khayre had a long criminal record, had served jail time for violent offences, and was in fact on parole at the time of the incident.
We understand that the police are investigating this as a potential terrorist attack but note that the perpetrator himself appeared to be confused as to who he was acting on behalf, claiming allegiance to both ISIS and AlQaeda, known enemies.
Whether this act was inspired by an evil warped ideology or was in fact the actions of a deranged violent individual, this does not change the reality that a horrendous crime was committed in which an innocent person was killed, a woman was held hostage, and police officers’ lives were put at risk.
What we must avoid is sensationalising or somehow attributing unwarranted significance to these criminals because it exacerbates prevailing fears and tensions and potentially encourages copycat behaviour.
We would also like to express our support to the Somali community who will be unfairly vilified because of the actions of this one man. They have made, and continue to make, an invaluable contribution to Victorian society.
We must not allow events such as these to cause division and hatred.
Media contact: Adel Salman (ICV Vice-President and Media Spokesperson) at adel.salman@icv.org.au or call ICV Office (03) 9328 3067.
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