Two influential Muslim leaders have criticized stabbing victim Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel for comments he made, which they say insulted their religion.
The bishop, 53, is in a stable condition in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed by a teenager at around 7pm on Monday while leading a service at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in what police said of “terrorist incident”.
He was captured on the livestream of the church service shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as he stabbed the bishop in the head, neck and torso at least eight times.
The video showed the alleged perpetrator, aged 16, detained by police on the ground inside the church before speaking in Arabic.
The words are understood to be translated as: “If I had not insulted my Prophet, I would not be here.” If he didn’t get involved in my religion, I wouldn’t be here.
The Australian Muslim social media page, which has more than 2.6 million followers, and Mohamed Shaar, who runs Sydney’s Ruqyah Centre, condemned the violence but said some of the bishop’s teachings were hate speech.
Shaar, who had previously sparked controversy for his homophobic views, said the bishop had “talked the talk”.
‘The funny thing is that all those Muslims say he will recover quickly and I hope he gets better, etc.’ Especially those liars on Cumberland council who have Islamic names.
‘Where were you when he was abusing our prophet and our religion?’
‘We condemn people who do any harm, even to an animal; We do not support any type of violence in our community, but why have you, Mr. politician and Mr. community leader, not told him something that could have solved the problems?’
‘He opened his mouth and said that our Prophet is rotting in a grave. We love our Prophet.
‘Leave our religion and the Prophet alone.
Alleged ‘terrorist attack’ on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel broadcast online by church
Mohammed Shaar, who had previously sparked controversy for his homophobic views, said the bishop had “talked the talk” about the Prophet Muhammad.
The Australian Muslim social media page, not to be confused with the Australian Muslim Project, said: “I’m not justifying that boy’s actions, but the bishop initiated them.”
‘He has been slandering our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. We Muslims will never ever defame Jesus, peace be upon him.’
The comment sparked mixed responses from followers and more than 1,000 likes.
‘I saw a video of him a couple of days ago, it sounded so consumed and degrading to other religions. This is very worrying,’ said one.
‘We need calm, non-inflammatory language. “We live in a multicultural society and there will always be people who reject our faith, but we must set good examples with our actions,” said another.
“We will never grow, mature, or be properly respected by those outside of our faith until we learn to counter ignorance and propaganda with education instead of violence,” said a third.
A video released after Monday night’s attack showed the accused teen pinned to the ground before saying in Arabic that he wouldn’t be there if the bishop ‘didn’t insult my prophet… If he didn’t get involved in my religion.’
The church where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked while leading a service split from the Assyrian Church of the East in 2014 after the bishop was excommunicated over theological differences.
He himself had gained a significant number of followers on social media, where the Facebook and YouTube pages of Cristo Buen Pastor have more than 240,000 followers.
He has given some sermons criticizing non-Christian religions, including Judaism and Islam, and has also recently given sermons calling for peace in Gaza.
He appeared in a video made last December for the PBD Podcast, hosted by American host Patrick Bet-David.
On the podcast, Bishop Emmanuel (pictured) questioned Islamic beliefs around Jesus, whom he calls Isa, and said “the truth hurts.”
In the podcast, Bishop Emmanuel questioned Islamic beliefs around Jesus, whom he calls Isa, and said that “the truth hurts.”
‘Your book (the Quran) says that Isa, son of Mary, ascended alive to Heaven and will return to judge the dead and the living.
‘If I ask a Muslim ‘Who judges?’, he will say God.
‘Well, you’re telling me that this prophet (Muhammad) will judge, so which is which? Has the prophet assumed the role of God? Has God gone on vacation and come and taken his place?
The bishop said: ‘Isa is the living messiah, even it (the Quran) says so.’
‘Now let me ask you, my dear Muslim, if you are claiming that Isa is a prophet, then why do all the other prophets that you believe in, do you believe in Moses, do you believe in Isa, do you believe in all the prophets of the old Testament.
‘How come none of the Old Testament prophets were called ‘The Word of God’ except Isa? Because?’
Bishop Emmanuel then spoke about the birth of Jesus to Mary and how he is the son of God.
‘How is it that every prophet and every human being on the face of this planet was born of an earthly father and an earthly mother, and yet Jesus, son of Mary, was born in a virgin birth?’ he said.
‘He has an earthly mother, but he does not have an earthly father. Because his father (is) in heaven.’
The outspoken bishop added that “the real reason Muhammad failed is because he is dead. His book says that…
‘I know the truth hurts. I don’t offend people, I tell the truth. And if it offends you, I’m very sorry. No. I’m not sorry.’
He later told his fellow panelists on the podcast that ‘When you go to heaven, I can assure you… Muhammad will not greet you, Buddha will not greet you, (Hindu deity) Krishna will not greet you, because they will not greet you. .
‘There will be only one, who is the way, the truth and the life, it will be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died for you and me.’
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns met with leaders of different faiths across the city, who issued statements condemning the attack and calling for peace and unity.
Minns said the city is in a combustible and abnormal situation and there is no point in pretending otherwise after the stabbing sparked violent riots in Wakeley.
“I can understand people’s concern and anxiety in what has been an incredibly difficult week in Sydney,” Mr Minns said.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns met with faith leaders on Tuesday to call for peace and unity.
“It’s a flammable situation, there’s no point in pretending that everything is normal.”
Minns said police had now stepped up patrols.
“Particularly in western Sydney, particularly around religious institutions, during the rest of the week and into the weekend,” he said.
The public has been urged to unite and act reasonably.
“Heed the civic and religious leaders of this state who are calling for calm and an absolute repudiation of all violence,” Mr. Minns said.
Several police officers who responded to the stabbing were injured during the ensuing riot, while paramedics had to seek shelter in the church as a large crowd gathered after the attack, which was captured during a livestream on social media.
It was declared an act of terror on Tuesday, with an apparent religious motivation behind the attack allegedly committed by a 16-year-old with a history of knife-related offences.
Minns said he had spoken to the five officers hospitalized after the riot.
“Several of them went back to work the next day,” he said, praising their dedication.
The attack was broadcast on social media, where federal Environment Minister and Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek warned that lies are being used to divide a reeling city.
“We know there are people who are deliberately trying to stoke division on social media…turn it off if you can,” he said.