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Monday, 12 September 2011
Page: 9601

Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): The 11 September 2001 atrocity was not just an attack on America; it was an attack on civilisation everywhere. On that day America was under attack not because of its faults but because of its virtues—because of its democracy, because of its pluralism, because of its diversity and because of its decency. America was under attack on that day because of the respect it accorded to women, to minorities, to different religions and to people who challenge social norms. Since September 11, America and its allies have made some mistakes—how could we not?—but we have not surrendered the values that made our civilisation a target. Most importantly, we have appreciated that, though the terrorists acted in the name of religion, our enemy was not religion; it was terrorism—it was not Islam; it was extremism. We never made the mistake of thinking that Islam was incompatible with democratic pluralism or blamed all Muslims for the madness of a few. It is this good sense and insight which has enabled the pluralist civilisation to flourish through the war on terror.

I venture the hope that the values that were under attack that day, the values we uphold now and the values we will always uphold are not just Western values but universal ones. They are the better angels of all people and all cultures. I close with an example of the magnanimity of which all peoples and all cultures are capable. When Tariq Jahan lost his son, who was senselessly murdered by rioters in Birmingham last month, he did not react by calling for vengeance. He said:

… I don't blame the government. I don't blame the police. I don't blame anybody.

…   …   …

This is not a race issue. The family has received messages of support from all parts of society. I lost my son. Blacks, Asians, whites—we all live in the same community.

That was a marvellous message from a true Muslim, a true Briton and a true member of the civilised world. We all live in the same world. Yes, we must confront evil. We must be defiant in the face of evil, of course. We must be resolute in the face of evil, but we must be generous too and we must seek everywhere the sparks of common humanity if we are to make our world whole and safe.

The SPEAKER: As an indication of support of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition's statements and as a mark of respect to those that lost their lives, I ask all present to rise in their places.

Honourable members having stood in their places—

The SPEAKER: I thank the House.

Mr STEPHEN SMITH: by leave—I move:

That further statements on indulgence on the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks in the United States of America on 11 September 2001 be referred to the Main Committee.

Question agreed to.