The son of murdered NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng has called for an end to political "scapegoating" of Muslims in Australia following a speech by federal MP Fraser Anning calling for a ban on Muslim immigration.
Alpha Cheng says he would be justified in reiterating the calls after a 15-year-old Muslim boy shot his father in cold blood outside the NSW Police Headquarters in Parramatta in 2015, but chooses not to.
"I am tired of needing to explain to adults that the actions of these individuals cannot be attributed to an entire group of people. If I, of all people, can think this way, then sure as hell our "elected" representatives can think this way too," Mr Cheng wrote in an opinion piece in Fairfax Media.
He said if anyone were to believe that all terrorists are Muslim, then "that person could, and should, be me" after the murder and subsequent jailing of a 20-year-old Muslim to 44 years for planning the attack and 17 year sentence for the 25-year-old Muslim for supplying the gun.
"It would be frighteningly easy - and I choose those words deliberately - to keep indulging this train of thought. It is not that hard, really.
"A Muslim killed my father. His parents were Muslims. He was manipulated by other Muslims. They are related to Muslims. They probably came from a Muslim country. It is all their fault, kick them out, keep them out," he wrote.
But he said this was the narrative "those who wish to divide us" were trying to push to "victimise and persecute an entire group because of their religious/cultural background", which would be just like the 'Final Solution'.
"We who seek to see the best in what Australians stand for must believe otherwise," he said.
"My best friend is of a Muslim background. I have met inspirational students, teachers, activists, and politicians, who just happen to be of a Muslim background.
"Being a Muslim doesn't make them a good friend or person. In the same vein, being a Muslim doesn't make you a terrorist."
Mr Cheng said he is tired of continually explaining his thoughts, but despite his family's loss he won't stop "seeking out the beauty, friendships, and empathy of those who make Australia worth standing up for in the first place".
"Our futures are shared. Let us not forget that."
Australian Associated Press
