Since the European settlement in Australia, the land we stand on today was deemed
‘terra nullias’ meaning no one’s land. The Aboriginal people have been the inhabitants of
this land for thousands of years.
The Uluru Statement states:
“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of
the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own
laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture,
from the Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and
according to science more than 60,000 years “
Before 1770, Muslims engaged with the Aboriginal people of this land. They shared
resources, engaged in trade and had a respectful relationship. It is a rich history and proud
moment for both the Aboriginal and Muslim community. We continue with this respectful
engagement and relationship. Therefore, the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
proudly endorses the Uluru statement on behalf of the past and the present Australian
Muslims.
Take some time to read ‘The Uluru statement: from the heart’ to reflect on the history
of this country. https://ulurustatement.org/the-statement
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