Harmony Week to underscore unity

TASMANIA’S Muslim community is fearful and cautious after the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch as Harmony Week takes on special significance.

As the world continues to mourn the victims of the New Zealand massacre, which has seen at least 50 people dead, Multicultural Council of Tasmania chairman Waqas Durrani says Tasmania’s Muslims are understandably nervous.

“In the Muslim community here there is fear,” he said.

“For it to happen when people are praying at a mosque does make Muslims feel unsafe.

“This isn’t an act of terror against Muslims; this is an act of terror against everyone, and that’s the message we need to send.”

The Christchurch incident means Harmony Week, to be launched today, will have a sombre start but probably takes on more significance.

Hobart councillor Zelinda Sherlock said last week’s terror attack reiterated the important message of Harmony Week.

She hopes people take an opportunity to educate them- selves on an issue; eat something culturally different; listen to culturally different music or speak to someone from a different background to their own.

“Exposure, experience and education are proactive steps towards harmony,” she said.

Cr Sherlock said while many migrant communities called Tasmania home, little of the local or State Government reflected that.

“Growing up as a non-European/Anglo female migrant in Hobart, in my era, there was no representations of me in the political domain,” Cr Sherlock said.

“I want to be a positive role model and a communitarian, in a leadership role.”

Cr Sherlock and her father, Cr Mike Dutta, broke many records when they won their Hobart City Council seats last year.

The duo are the first Fijiborn Indian migrants and the first father-daughter pair to win a seat in the history of the Hobart City Council elections.

Cr Dutta said the election result was a win for inclusiveness, progressiveness, multiculturalism and diversity.

“As we celebrate Harmony Week this week, we must remember that this is not just one week of the year that we should advocate for unity, understanding and respect, but a daily effort that needs to be made by us all,” he said.

Harmony Week will be launched tonight at The Moonah Multicultural Hub, 65 Hopkins St Moonah from 5.30pm.