Love in the time of crisis

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Asha Naznin
Published : 17:21, Mar 18, 2019 | Updated : 13:29, Mar 22, 2019

Asha NazninA few of my friends from overseas have been reaching out to me somewhat frightened — they have been warning me that Australians can be so dangerous and be careful. I am overwhelmed with my friends' love.
However, I would like to assure them that white Australians I have met and been living with for about a decade, have been the most wonderful people in my life, in our lives. Where to start?
A few years back, with a newborn baby, I had some health emergencies and my husband was overseas. A white/Christian family picked us up from our rented house and we stayed a few days at their place until my health became stable. From my doctors, to the university — they took me everywhere.
Recently in February this year, I ended up at the hospital emergency with a severe eye infection. While sitting there with my little boy, I had to cancel the upcoming weekend play date. Within a few moments, there were calls from white/Christian Australians asking, what happened?
It was 3.30 pm — office hours and an Australian family reached out to the emergency department, leaving work early to pick up my son although I warned them that conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Through my child, they, along with their other three children, could be infected!
“But how're you gonna survive when you have no support here? Think of us as your family please, we are so worried for you,” is what I was told.
For the very first time in his life, my son spent days and nights without his parents and with white Christian Australians, who gave him great care and love. He stayed there until his dad rushed to return home from his official trip.
A flower is placed outside Masjid Al Noor mosque in memory of the victims of the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 17, 2019. REUTERSThese are a few small little examples in our life. I won’t be able to finish the story of their love and support. And there are many Christian Aussies here who make sure every time in every event that we are being served halal food, no pork etc, even though we don't express any preferences, because you can easily go vegetarian. But they will make sure your preferences haven't been compromised.

We believe the act of a jihadist/Muslim terrorist can neither define the whole Muslim community nor terrorist actions can be representative of all Muslims.
So please do consider that the act of a single white Aussie cannot be a representation of the whole Aussie community, and the Christian community cannot be judged by this terrorist attack in New Zealand.
They are simultaneously terrified and ashamed and upset the way actions of jihadists leave Muslims around the world all upset and terrified.
A Bangladeshi born Australian, Asha Naznin is a poet and novelist based in Canberra.

/aib/hb/
***The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of Bangla Tribune.
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