The Illawarra’s Islamic community is reeling over the horrors in Paris and has called for the perpetrators to be caught and held to account.
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‘’These despicable acts have no place in the religion of Islam, or the prescribed path shown by the Prophet Mohammad,’’ Islamic Society of the Illawarra spokesman Gary Ismail said.
‘’We stand side by side with the French people in solidarity and prayer, and we hope that the perpetrators be caught and held to account.’’
The Paris terrorist attacks were carried out with the help of three French brothers living in Belgium, the authorities said, as they asked the public's help in finding one of them.
The French authorities said they were seeking Salah Abdeslam, 26, and described him as dangerous.
Belgian officials said one of his brothers had died in the three-hour massacre, which killed at least 129 people; another brother is in detention in Belgium.
Seven attackers have died - six by blowing themselves up and one in a shootout with police.
The coordinated attacks, which French President Francois Hollande said was the work of the Islamic State, involved extensive planning by a network of men with sophisticated weapons who plotted their attack from outside the country.
The Illawarra Islamic society – which encompasses more than seven mosques in the region – said the Muslim community was united in its response.
‘’The Australian Muslim community shares the pain and anguish of the people of France and do hereby unequivocally condemn the violence and loss of life from the multiple acts of terrorism in the city of Paris,’’ Mr Ismail said.
‘’Our immediate thoughts and sentiments go to the families of the innocent victims,’’ he said.
‘’We reject all acts of terror around the world, regardless of race, religion or ideology and would like to draw from the verses of the Holy Qur’an that taking the life of one innocent person is like taking the life of the whole of humanity.’’
The Illawarra society is joined by Muslim communities across the country, including several groups in Sydney, in denouncing the violence.
Meantime Kiama MP Gather Ward has invited residents to sign a condolence book at his electoral office.
Mr Ward, chair of the Parliamentary Friends of the European Union, said people needed the chance to ‘’express their grief for the victims and the families and friends of loved ones who were innocent casualties in the Paris attacks’’.
He spoke with French Consul-General Nicholas Croizer and extended his deepest sympathies on behalf of Members of the Parliamentary Friends of the European Union.
