Calling the Bourke Street attack “terrorism” doesn’t help, says Islamic Council

The Islamic Council of Victoria says Friday’s Bourke Street attack shouldn’t be called “terrorism”, saying the term creates “hysteria” in the community.

Adel Salman is the vice president of the Islamic Council and told Neil Mitchell language was “really, really important”.

“Let’s just call it out as it is – it is murder, it is criminal activity, it is violence,” Mr Salman said.

“Everyone rejects it.”

He said the term “terrorism” played into a “particular narrative”.

“There’s a level of hysteria that’s associated with using the terminology of terrorism and making it appear that we’re under some enormous huge terrorist threat in Australia,” Mr Salman said on 3AW.

“I don’t accept that, personally.”

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