Statement from Victorian multifaith leaders

We come together as multifaith leaders representing Victoria’s diverse faith communities.

We are horrified by the antisemitic terror attack on innocent families celebrating Hanukkah.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of this atrocity, to the Jewish community across Australia, and to the people of Sydney.

We also applaud those from all backgrounds and walks of life who responded with such bravery and courage, and who will continue to do so over the coming months to help people recover.

We will not let evil tear us apart. We will always protect the rights of all Victorians to live free from violence, racism, vilification and discrimination of any kind.

We call on all Victorians – whoever you are, whatever faith you follow – to join us.

Now is the time for us to come together, focus on our shared values, and reject division. It is up to all of us to contribute to a Victoria that we can all feel safe in and be proud of.

Signed by:

• Premier Jacinta Allan
• Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
• Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
• Mike Bush CNZM, Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police
• Rabbi Daniel Rabin, Rabbinical Council of Victoria
• Philip Zajac, Jewish Community Council of Victoria
• Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi, Board of Imams Victoria
• Imam Maulana Syed Abul Qasim Rizvi, Shia Imam Council of Victoria
• Vivienne Nguyen AM, Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Venerable Phuoc Tan, Quang Minh Buddhist Temple
• Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
• The Most Reverend Dr Ric Thorpe, Archbishop Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
• His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
• His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya, Bishop, Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of Victoria and New Zealand
• Rasha Abass, Palestine Australia Relief and Action
• Makarand Bhagwat, Hindu Council of Australia (Vic)
• Isabel Zhang, Museum of Chinese Australian History
• Bill Papastergiadis OAM, Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria
• Jasbir Singh Suropada, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria

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