Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Muslim Community's heart weeps for the families and friends impacted by the Sydney Siege Tragedy
Tori Johnson Katrina Dawson
Government should honour the
Bravery of Tori Johnson who died trying to take the gun from the
terrorist
Hostage-taker and self-declared Muslim Sheikh Man Haron Monis walked into the cafe on Monday Morning of 15 Dec and held 17 people in a 16-hour siege. Just before police stormed the building, at least five hostages came running from the cafe with their hands up. NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the situation changed suddenly inside the cafe, allowing more of the hostages to escape.
Police then made the quick decision to put
their emergency action plan into place and they moved inside the building. Soon
after police entered the cafe, paramedic crews who had been stationed at the
scene throughout the day were seen carrying people out of the building on
stretchers, and one patient could be seen being resuscitated.
Thanking all the
officers involved in the siege, Commissioner Scipione said, "I want to point
out they have saved lives, they have saved many lives."
As the armed siege at a Sydney city cafe unfolded, the international media reacted. During the early morning of Tuesday, 16th Dec, Senior journalist Saqlain Imam who works for BBC’s Urdu World Service in London contacted Chief Editor of Sada-e-Watan, Syed Zafar Hussain, and asked questions about the latest situation of Sydney siege. Syed Zafar Hussain said that explosions and yelling was coming from the café and many frontline Police stormed the building for the safety of the hostages.
Police had stormed the building after explosions and yelling were heard about 2:10am. Mr Johnson tried to grab the gunman's weapon when he appeared to be falling asleep. Barrister and mother of three Katrina Dawson, 38, and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, were killed in the siege, along with 50-year-old gunman Man Haron Monis.
Thanking all the officers involved in the siege, Commissioner Scipione said: "I want to point out they have saved lives, they have saved many lives."
On Tuesday afternoon of 16 Dec 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Martin Place, where he and hundreds of members of the public have left flowers and signed condolence books. Hundreds of floral tributes have been left in Sydney's Martin Place for the victims of a 16-hour siege which ended when police stormed the Lindt Chocolate Cafe early Tuesday, 16 Dec 2014. Memorial site under the MLC Centre, which has also been visited by Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, Premier Mike Baird and Police Minister Stuart Ayres. Mr Baird had tears in his eyes as he lay flowers for the victims.
“Today the people of NSW and Australia
have the heaviest of hearts and we are taking steps to allow the community to
share our collective grief,” Mr Baird said.
“Overnight we lost two of our
own people, in an attack we thought we’d never see here in our
city.
Dozens of Muslim groups have issued a joint statement expressing sympathy for the families of those killed. Australia's Grand Mufti, Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, visited the special memorial in Martin Place and said the tragedy must not rob the nation of its values of tolerance and unity.
On the behalf of the Australian Muslim Community, Sada e Watan issued this statement; our deepest thoughts and sincere condolences to the people affected and their families.
“As Muslims, as Australian Muslims we share the grief and suffering of those who have gone through the ordeal last night, with the families of those who unfortunately have passed away.”
“We hope the Australian community can see
that this is not something to do with the Muslim community. Our heart weeps for
families and friends who effected in this tragedy but it also beats with pride
that no matter what we are one nation one people and together we stand strong
with other people. Our Police have been trained to cope with situations like
this. Police wanted this incident to end with no any loss of life. They put
their lives on the line to protect the community. We request Government that
Bravery award should be given in honour of the deceased Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson who died
trying to take the gun from terrorist."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Tony Abbott - Prime Minister's Press Release - MARTIN PLACE
SIEGE
Australians awoke to the news this
morning that the siege in Martin Place has ended.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two deceased hostages, the wounded and the other hostages.
I commend the courage and professionalism of the New South Wales Police and other emergency services involved.
Early this morning I was briefed on developments by New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, as well as Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin.
Commonwealth agencies will continue to provide every support to New South Wales authorities.
The National Security Committee of Cabinet will meet shortly to review the situation.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Premier NSW Mike Baird statement: Remembering the victims of the Lindt
Café siege
NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced flags on all NSW Government buildings will fly at half-mast today to honour those who tragically lost their lives in the siege at the Lindt café in Sydney's CBD.
The Premier is also inviting people who wish to lay a floral tribute to the victims to do so at Martin Place. Condolence books will also be provided later today near the Martin Place water fountain, facing Pitt Street.
"Today the people of NSW and Australia
have the heaviest of hearts and we are taking steps to allow the community to
share our collective grief," Mr Baird said.
"Overnight we lost two of our
own people, in an attack we thought we'd never see here in our
city.
"However, the values we held dear
yesterday we hold dear today. They are the values of freedom, democracy and
harmony.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims of this
vicious, horrendous attack, their families and friends.
"I want to say to the victim's families and friends, everyone in NSW stands beside you. Today, tomorrow, forever.
"I pay tribute to the men and women of the
NSW Police Force who have saved many lives over the past day and have risked
their lives in doing so.
"I also want to pay tribute to all other emergency
service workers and authorities who provided vital assistance.
"My thoughts remain with those hostages
who have been freed. Every care they need at this traumatic time will be made
available to them.
"We are a peaceful, harmonious society that is the envy
of the world. How we react in coming days will further show who we
are.
"I say to everyone today: We must come together like never before. We are stronger together. We will get through this together."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MESSAGE OF AMU Alumni of Australia
A crazy head had made his way to one
of the best cafes in our city and held people hostages. The authorities made
such an example out of this craziness that no other low life rotten excuse of
humanity from this mentality ever dares even contemplate going in that
direction!
We strongly condemn this crime and dragging of Islam into this individual criminal act.
It was very unfortunate that two innocent hostages lost their lives. Our prayers and hearts are with the deceased and their families!
It's a wakeup call and time to work
together and support Team Australia to keep our cities and country safe and
remain symbol of multicultural coexistence.
Regards,
AMU Alumni of Australia
Team
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Statement of New South Wales Police force
The NSWPF are asking for calmness and a
strength of positive communication amongst our communities - as Commissioner
Scipione and Premier Baird have stated this incident should not change our
lives, this is a time to come together, not be divided.
The NSWPF urge
our community brothers and sisters to go about their daily activities but if
they see or hear anything suspicious to contact their local Police or if urgent
ring 000. Police and community leaders are united in peace and will not
tolerate bias motivated violence or targeting.
We further ask for our
PMAC members to monitor communities carefully for any extreme criticisms or
serious concerns expressed in our communities, especially expressions of
retaliation, revenge or bias.
We all should be focusing on calmness
amongst our friends, workmates, families, men, women and children.
Police will be present throughout our communities attending our shopping
centres, schools, infrastructure sites and prayer houses over coming days and
weeks to show harmony and we are always available to assist.
There will
be zero tolerance to bias motivated crimes against any part of the community.
All matters will be fully investigated, if offenders are identified they will
be put before the Courts and the full force of the law will be applied.
The NSWPF will work with communities to ensure their safety and ensure they can
live their daily lives without the fear of violence.
