麻豆约拍

Good morning,

From the streets of our cities to work places and children鈥檚 playgrounds, we can see a colourful mix of God鈥檚 family. God says in the Qur鈥檃n, "O mankind! I have created you from a single male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognise one another. Indeed the most honoured of you, in the sight of God, is the one who is most righteous. Indeed God is All-knowing, All-aware." Black or white, man or woman - all are equal before God. He has honoured the children of Adam and so should we.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "O people, indeed your Lord and Sustainer is One and your ancestor is one. All of you descend from Adam and Adam was made of earth. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab nor for a non-Arab over an Arab; neither for a white person over a black person nor a black person over a white person except the superiority gained through righteousness. Indeed the noblest of you in God鈥檚 eyes is the one who is most conscious of God." Muhammad also said, "Indeed God does not look at your faces or your bodies or your family connections, but He looks at your hearts."

Twelve years ago this week the Race Riots erupted. Whites and Asians turned on each other. Rioters destroyed cars and property, our northern cities burned while hospitals filled up with casualties. Racism had once again raised its ugly head and it continues to this day in some places.

Loving God, help us recognise the humanity of others, to respect all human beings as equals and help us to end racism, amin.