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I was saddened by the killing of more than 58 people in the hostage incident in a Catholic church in Baghdad. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility, and simultaneously issued a threat and warning to Christians across the Middle East. Assyrians are relentlessly persecuted in their ancestral homeland because of their racial, ethnic and religious beliefs. As a minority Christian community they face extinction. And this latest Church bombing highlighted the need for Australia to demand from the democratically elected Members of Iraq’s legislature more protection for the Assyrian community.
Locally in Fairfield, a group of young activists organised a protest in the Sydney CBD, under the banner of “the black march movement” and Fairfield Council provided them with access to the Fairfield showground to use as a meeting point.
A number of local residents were directly affected by the Church killings, through the loss or injury of their family and friends and so I thought it was appropriate for me to move the Notice of Motion below.
I’m pleased to announce the motion, was seconded by Councillor Anwar Khoshaba and passed by the Council unanimously.
URGENT BUSINESS – DEATHS AT A CHURCH IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ
MOTION: Moved by Councillor Zaya Toma
That Council consider this matter as urgent business.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Mayor declared the matter to be one of great urgency.
MOTION: Moved by Councillor Zaya Toma
That Fairfield City Council:
1. Condemns the recent and seemingly coordinated Catholic Church attack in Baghdad, which left 58 people dead and 78 people injured, as well as the ongoing persecution of the Christian minority in Iraq;
2. Notes, members of Fairfield’s large Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac community have been directly affected by this attack by the loss or injury of their family members andfriends; and
3. Call on the Federal Government of Australia to formally demand more protection for the Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac communities from the National Government of Iraq.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY