05 June 2017

News Story: Australian FM urges moderate Muslim leaders to speak out against extremism

CANBERRA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has called on moderate Muslim leaders to speak out against extremism and terrorism, after she confirmed that three Australians had been injured in a terror attack in London.

Three men drove a van into Saturday night revelers on London Bridge in the British capital, before exiting the van and making their way through bars and restaurants, slashing and stabbing people enjoying a night out.

The attack took place just weeks after the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for a blast that killed 22 people at a pop concert in Manchester.

Speaking to Sky News Australia on Monday, Bishop backed calls from British Prime Minister Theresa May for Muslim leaders to publicly denounce acts of terror, saying that voices of moderate Islam had been too quiet in the wake of terror attacks.

"I believe (May) is calling on the voices of moderate Islam to be far louder than the voices of extremism, savagery and brutality, and we most certainly need to see that in our country as well," Bishop said on Monday.

"We need all Australians to condemn terrorism in all its forms we need all Australians to unite in the condemnation of the brutality and savagery of these attacks. The whole community must work together to stamp out radicalization."

Read the full story at Xinhua