It is with heavy hearts we hear of the unprecedented violence that was bestowed on our New Zealand neighbours last night.
Settlement Services International (SSI) together with Access Community Services, Queensland, expresses our sympathy and support to the victims and families of the shootings at the Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood mosque nearby. Our thoughts are with all people of New Zealand at this time.
“We stand in solidarity with the communities of New Zealand and are united in condemning the attack on one of the world’s most welcoming and generous nations. Like New Zealand, Australia prides itself on being a safe and tolerant place that people of all nationalities and faiths call home. Senseless acts of violence like this call on all members of the community to reach out to the peaceful Muslim community with tolerance and respect,” stated Violet Roumeliotis, Group CEO, SSI.
“On behalf of the communities we serve and represent, we stand strong against racial hatred and anti-immigrant prejudice for which there is no place in today’s society. This shows that once again we have entered times that require the majority of us who seek social justice and peace to demonstrate incredible amounts of vigilance and courage. Our prayers and thoughts are with you New Zealand.”
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Settlement Services International is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australian to achieve their full potential. We work with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refuges, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
Access Community Services Limited is a leading Queensland multicultural organisation that operates under the umbrella of SSI. Access merged with SSI on December 4, 2018.
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