Disappointed: Islamic studies academic Zuleyha Keskin, of Merrylands, and student Rahil Ansari. Picture: Chris Lane
IN THE days following the violent Islamic protest in Sydney, tensions built towards an unknown end.
Leaders of the Muslim faith gathered in unprecedented meetings to discuss the clash between police and Islamic youth, and how they could prevent more eruptions.
Speaking through an interpreter on Wednesday, Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed condemned the actions of the protesters but called on people to be calm.
"This should not be seen as a catastrophe or phenomenon," he said.
"At the end of the day this was just something that happened and the violence, a scuffle with police, was something that probably happens everywhere else.
"So there are problems here with people's thinking, or maybe with their theology, but this is something that we are working on fixing."
Dr Ibrahim and other leaders said their communities were trying to engage the small minority of Muslims who wanted to radicalise, so they could discuss peaceful alternatives.
But in a letter expressing her disappointment at protesters, Merrylands resident and Islamic academic, Zuleyha Keskin, said it would be difficult to rein in the angry radicals.
"Muslim leaders have spoken out quite strongly against what happened but I think those involved are minority groups that the leaders don't have control over," she said.
Associate Professor Adam Possamai, of the Religion and Society Research Centre, said the week's turbulence had brought disparate religious and community groups together.
"Muslim organisations in Sydney represent more than 70 different ethnic groups," he said.
"The aftermath of the recent event has brought many of them together at a new level.
"I am optimistic their separate, concerted efforts . . . will help prevent the actions of a fringe group from undermining the social cohesion of a multicultural and multi-faith Australia."