'They don't feel safe': Muslims from Christchurch mosque 'gunman's' hometown are 'too afraid' to practice their faith - as local church leader slams Senator Fraser Anning's anti-Islam views
- Reverend Gregory Jenks said the handful of Muslims in Grafton didn't feel safe
- No Muslims spoke at the inter-faith vigil at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday
- Grafton reportedly has no declared Muslims, but a small number meet in homes
- Reverend Jenks also labeled Senator Fraser Annings comments as 'extreme'
Muslims in the hometown of the alleged Christchurch mosque gunman are too afraid to practice their faith in public, a church leader says.
Grafton's Anglican dean Gregory Jenks said the handful of Muslims in the northern NSW town 'didn't feel safe' in the wake of the attack.
Brenton Tarrant, 28, who grew up in Grafton, allegedly shot dead 50 worshippers during prayers on Friday.
No Muslims spoke at the inter-faith vigil at Christ Church Cathedral in Grafton on Monday night, Reverend Jenks instead reading a letter from the Islamic Council of NSW. 'They don't feel safe at the moment to be publicly involved in an event like this,' he said.
Grafton's Anglican dean Gregory Jenks (pictured) said the handful of Muslims in the northern NSW town 'didn't feel safe' in the wake of the attack
No Muslims spoke at the inter-faith vigil at Christ Church Cathedral in Grafton on Monday night
In his speech to hundreds of Grafton locals attending the vigil, Reverend Jenks called for 'solidarity and compassion for the people of Christchurch, especially the Muslim community'
The message he read from the Islamic Council of NSW conveyed their sympathies for those in Grafton affected by the shooting. 'This heinous act is an attempt to spread fear and hatred
Reverend Jenks said they were fearful after Friday's massacre in New Zealand, but had been withdrawn for years due to 'rhetoric from politicians'.
He said the anti-Islam views expressed Senator Fraser Anning before and after the massacre were the most extreme, many others stirred up fear to win votes.
Reverend Jenks accused conservative leaders of 'dog whistling' through immigration policy and other public statements. He also accused the Shooters and Fishers Party of having a policy platform that amounted to promoting 'white supremacy'.
Many of the town's Muslims were refugee doctors who worked at Grafton Base Hospital. 'They're the ones healing and keeping us alive,' Reverend Jenks said. 'We are determined they will feel safe, that they will know that we stand with them. 'I really want us to get to a point where they feel safe enough to openly practice their religion in Grafton.'
The vigil was held at the Christ Church Cathedral in Grafton on Monday night and was attended by hundreds
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Grafton reportedly has no declared Muslims, but a small number meet in homes to worship in secret. In his speech to hundreds of Grafton locals attending the vigil, Reverend Jenks called for 'solidarity and compassion for the people of Christchurch, especially the Muslim community'.
The message he read from the Islamic Council of NSW conveyed their sympathies for those in Grafton affected by the shooting. 'This heinous act is an attempt to spread fear and hatred.
We stand in solidarity with all Australians as one and must not allow such acts to divide us,' the message read. They said it was with 'great sorrow' that the letter even needed to be written. '
We pray that God gives us the patience and perseverance to respond and heal with love and wisdom,' the message continued.
It is our heartfelt belief that we can be a better country by eliminating racism and Islamaphobia and hold our politicians and leaders accountable.'
Reverend Jenks said the anti-Islam views expressed Senator Fraser Anning before and after the massacre were the most extreme, many others stirred up fear to win votes
Senator Fraser Anning caused an uproar after he released a statement where he blamed Muslim immigration for the terror attacks in Christchurch on Friday
