Flinders students and staff gathered at the Plaza yesterday to condemn the terror attacks at Christchurch mosques and express solidarity against hate, racism and Islamophobia.
“I think that while people like Fraser Anning are not resting, we need to not rest. We need to actually push back against the hatred that produced last Friday’s actions,” says art student and co-organiser Tom Gilchrist.
“By coming together as Flinders students and staff it shows that there are lots of people who are prepared to take a stand against racism and state that it has no place in our society.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Clare Pollock expressed the University’s condolences and offered support to staff and students following the attack.
“My condolences go to our New Zealand colleagues and students following last Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch and I also express my sympathy to students and staff from the Muslim community.
“Flinders is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We are fortunate to have such a vibrant and diverse student population, with more than 27,000 students, including some 5000 from at least 90 countries all studying together at Flinders,” she stated.
Flinders had planned to light Tonsley in orange on Thursday for Harmony Day; this has been extended for the entire week as an expression of Flinders’ support for those affected by the Christchurch atrocity.
Flinders will mark Harmony Day with an Interfaith Welcome Ceremony at Oasis from 10.30am. A Multicultural Celebration will follow at the Plaza from 11am-2pm. All are welcome.
Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. It coincides with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Representatives from different faiths within the Flinders community will come together to share meditations and reflections at the Interfaith welcome, and everyone is invited to join in. Details can be found on Oasis’ Facebook page.
The celebration to follow will include African Dance, a ‘try on a Hijab’ stall, Henna tattoos, and will feature Bortier, an African Drummer who runs interactive drumming, and an Indigenous Weaving group, together with Afghan and Vietnamese food.
Flinders’ Oasis centre provides support for student community wellbeing, which includes support for students’ spiritual needs and is located just north of Car Park 5 at the Bedford Park campus.
Support is available for students affected by the events in Christchurch through Flinders’ Health, Counselling and Disability services, and International Students Services can offer additional advice and support for students here from overseas.