On 15 March 2019, the world watched in grief as a terrorist attack targeted worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, claiming the lives of 51 people and wounding dozens more. The attack sent shockwaves through Muslim communities around the globe, including here in Victoria.
A Message from Melbourne's Lord Mayor
In the weeks that followed, Somali Community Inc. Victoria (SCI) received and shared a letter from Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp addressed to the Muslim community. The letter conveyed heartfelt condolences for the lives lost, acknowledged the fear and grief felt by Muslims both in Australia and internationally, and reaffirmed Melbourne's enduring commitment to being a city where people of all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures are welcomed, respected, and safe.
Lord Mayor Capp's correspondence was a clear signal from Melbourne's civic leadership that hatred and Islamophobia have no place in our city. She emphasised that diversity is not merely tolerated in Melbourne — it is celebrated as one of the city's greatest strengths.
— Lord Mayor Sally Capp, City of MelbourneMelbourne stands with the Muslim community. Our city is built on the contributions of people from all walks of life, and we are committed to ensuring every person feels safe and valued here.
Why SCI Shared the Letter
Somali Community Inc. Victoria chose to share Lord Mayor Capp's letter with the broader Somali-Australian Muslim community for an important reason: in moments of tragedy and fear, it matters deeply to know that civic leaders stand alongside you.
Many community members — particularly women who wear the hijab and those who attend mosques regularly — expressed heightened anxiety in the immediate aftermath of Christchurch. Sharing the Lord Mayor's letter was an act of reassurance, a reminder that the institutions and leaders of Melbourne were paying attention, taking the community's safety seriously, and speaking out against Islamophobia.
If you or someone you know experienced distress following the Christchurch attacks, support services including the Islamic Council of Victoria and Beyond Blue remain available to the community.
Solidarity in Action
The Christchurch attacks were a stark reminder that Islamophobia is a real and deadly threat — one that does not stop at borders. Yet the response from communities, leaders, and governments across Australia demonstrated that solidarity, too, knows no borders. Letters like the one from Lord Mayor Sally Capp, however symbolic they may seem, carry genuine weight for communities processing collective trauma.
Somali Community Inc. Victoria remains committed to keeping the community informed, connected, and supported — and to amplifying the voices of those who stand with us. We are grateful to Lord Mayor Capp and the City of Melbourne for their compassion and their words of solidarity during one of the most painful moments our community has faced in recent years.