Outrage as Australian politician blames immigration for Christchurch mosque shooting

A controversial federal MP has sparked outrage for blaming Islamic immigration for the Christchurch mosque shooting which has killed 40 people. 

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning said while any form of violence could never be justified, the growing fear of the ‘increasing Muslim presence’ was behind the massacre.  

‘The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program that allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place,’ he tweeted shortly after the Friday afternoon shootings. 

Senator for Queensland, William Fraser Anning (pictured) said on Friday while any form of violence can never be justified, immigration is the real reason for the shooting

A man who identified himself as Brenton Tarrant (pictured) live-streamed the massacre of dozens of people in Christchurch, New Zealand

A man who identified himself as Brenton Tarrant (pictured) live-streamed the massacre of dozens of people in Christchurch, New Zealand

Witnesses reported hearing 50 shots and police are responding to the incident at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country's South Island

Witnesses reported hearing 50 shots and police are responding to the incident at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country’s South Island 

In August, Senator Anning told Parliament a ‘final solution’ to Muslim immigration was needed in the form of a plebiscite, several months after defecting from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

The senator, who has since been kicked out of the Katter’s Australian Party, sparked a deluge of negative reactions on Friday, with many people condemning him on social media. 

‘White supremacy (your ideology) killed these people. Shut the f*** up and have some respect,’ one person wrote on Twitter. 

‘Resign. You do not deserve to stand representative of the Australian people,’ another person said. 

A third person added: ‘You are an embarrassment to humanity’. 

In a follow-up statement, Senator Fraser Anning said he opposed to any form of violence within our community and totally condemned the actions of the gunman.  

‘What it highlights is the growing fear within our community, both in Australia and New Zealand, of the increasing Muslim presence,’ he said.  

One of the gunmen is believed to have live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway

One of the gunmen is believed to have live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway

At least one gunman has opened fire at a mosque in New Zealand , shooting at children and killing dozens of people

At least one gunman has opened fire at a mosque in New Zealand , shooting at children and killing dozens of people

Senator Fraser Anning’s shocking comments came after news of the multiple shootings at two mosques in New Zealand first broke earlier on Friday morning. 

A 28-year-old Australian white supremacist opened fire at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country’s South Island about 1.30pm (11.30am AEDT) on Friday.

The gunman, who identified himself on Twitter as Brenton Tarrant from Grafton in northern New South Wales, live-streamed the mass shooting, which reportedly killed 40 people.

Senator Fraser Anning described as ‘cliched nonsense’ the idea that nationalist ideology was to blame. 

Senator Fraser Anning said the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets on Friday is the immigration program that allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place

Senator Fraser Anning said the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets on Friday is the immigration program that allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place

Bloodied bandages are seen on the road following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday

Bloodied bandages are seen on the road following a shooting at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday

‘The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place,’ he said.

Senator Fraser Anning said while Muslims were the victims in this instance, they were usually the perpetrators.

‘Worldwide, Muslims are killing people in the name of their faith on an industrial scale,’ he said.    

‘The entire religion of Islam is simply the violent ideology of a sixth century despot masquerading as a religious leader, which justifies endless war against anyone who opposes it and calls for the murder of unbelievers and apostates.’

A man wearing military fatigues (pictured) was arrested outside Papanui High School

A man wearing military fatigues (pictured) was arrested outside Papanui High School

The senator said Islam was not like any other faith and quoted the Bible to justify his assertion.

‘It is the religious equivalent of fascism. And just because the followers of this savage belief were not the killers in this instance, does not make them blameless,’ he said.

‘As we read in Matthew 26:52, “All they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword” and those who follow a violent religion that calls on them to murder us, cannot be too surprised when someone takes them at their word and responds in kind.’ 

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