Rudd’s Muslim Minister racially abused for taking oath on Quran

Rudd’s Muslim Minister racially abused for taking oath on Quran

FPJ BureauUpdated: Saturday, June 01, 2019, 08:15 PM IST
article-image

Melbourne :  Hours after Ed Husic became Australia’s first ever Muslim minister, he was flooded with online racial abuse for taking oath of office on the Quran, reports PTI.

43-year-old Husic, was appointed as parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and parliamentary secretary for broadband. Husic, son of Bosnian migrants, was the first MP to be sworn in to federal parliament with his hand on the Quran. Husic told media today that he had made a “straightforward decision as someone of the Muslim faith” to take the oath on the Quran. “I couldn’t take my oath on a Bible and I didn’t want to affirm. I am who I am and I just made a straightforward decision,” he said.         At the official oath-taking ceremony yesterday, Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce said, “it was a great day for multiculturalism and everything it stands for.” However, Husic’s Facebook page was soon flooded with comments saying it was “disgusting” and “un-Australian” for him to use the Quran. Husic said the attacks on his social media site were just “a natural part of democracy” and that “it’s important that we not necessarily jump because of harsh words out of dark corners”. Husic said that after he accepted the “huge honour” of Rudd’s offer he called his parents – who migrated to Australia from Bosnia in the 1960s – and reflected with them on his achievement. Meanwhile, fellow Labor MP Rob Mitchell reacted angrily on Twitter to the anti-Islamic comments, saying “appalling behaviour” against Husic “shouldn’t be tolerated at all”. “It is an embarrassment to decency, fairness and all we stand for,” he said. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he was not familiar with the abusive comments but he respected Husic’s choice to be sworn in using the Quran.  “I respect his choice and I think the Australian people should as well,” he said. Abbott’s reaction prompted Labor MP Michelle Rowland to tweet that the Opposition Leader’s comments were “extremely weak”. Many Facebook users leaped to the western Sydney MP’s defence, offering congratulations on his appointment and saying he should “ignore the haters” and “racist rants”.

RECENT STORIES

Elon Musk's X Says India Ordered Blocking Of 2,355 Accounts, Including Reuters

Elon Musk's X Says India Ordered Blocking Of 2,355 Accounts, Including Reuters

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Meets US President Donald Trump At White House, Reiterates Gaza...

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Meets US President Donald Trump At White House, Reiterates Gaza...

Japan PM Ishiba Calls Trump's New Tariff Decision 'Truly Regrettable'

Japan PM Ishiba Calls Trump's New Tariff Decision 'Truly Regrettable'

Shares Of Indian Textile Firms Rally As Trump Slaps 35% Tariff On Bangladesh

Shares Of Indian Textile Firms Rally As Trump Slaps 35% Tariff On Bangladesh

BRICS Summit: PM Modi Urges Unity On Critical Minerals, Warns Against Resource Weaponization

BRICS Summit: PM Modi Urges Unity On Critical Minerals, Warns Against Resource Weaponization