‘Thank you, you’ve raised awareness’: Muslim footy star’s VERY surprising message to the Australian accused of the Christchurch mosque massacre
- Bachar Houli, 30, is a star AFL player with Richmond who is also of Muslim faith
- Houli believes the actions of gunman Brenton Tarrant have ‘raised awareness’
- The standout Tigers midfielder is currrently the AFL’s multicultural ambassador
Devout Muslim and AFL footy star Bachar Houli has a message for the Christchurch mosque massacre gunman – thank you for raising awareness.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who won a premiership with Richmond in 2017, believes the mosque killings, allegedly carried out by Australian Brenton Tarrant last Friday, offered one positive.
‘The incident out of Christchurch, it’s only made our community stronger so the killer’s objectives, well, you have just raised awareness. So thank you,’ he told news.com.au.
Richmond Tigers midfielder Bachar Houli (pictured) has thanked gunman Brenton Tarrant for ‘raising awareness’ after his horrific actions in Christchurch
Taking to Instagram, Houli also said he is ‘super proud to be a Muslim Australian’ after the united level of support following Friday’s attack
‘Sorry to say that to the people who have lost their lives. Because we feel it, I feel it. It was like one of my own had gone down.
‘The one thing I love and I am so proud to be an Australian-Muslim is the fact that all of Australia have come out in support…’As Australian people, we feel for everyone.’
Houli went on to state now is the time for ‘people can learn a thing or two about Islam and stop living in an ignorant bubble.’
Tarrant, 28, a self-described white supremacist, is accused of live-streaming the attack on Facebook last Friday.
He has been charged with one count of murder and shown no remorse for his horrific actions.
Houli also revealed he left pre-season training early last week at Punt Road as he was struggling to comprehend the senseless attack in Christchurch.
‘The one thing that stands out to me and this should be a message to everyone is that the first person who got gunned down was a person who welcomed the gunman,’ he said.
‘He said, ‘Welcome brother, please come in.’ ‘They were his last words before he passed away.’
AFL star Bachar Houli (pictured) believes now is the time for ‘people to learn a thing or two about Islam and stop living in an ignorant bubble’