Comedian Nazeem Hussain was brought to tears on Monday’s episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here while discussing the impact the Lindt cafe siege had on him and his family.
Asked to speak about his faith by Steve Price during his ‘Jungle Radio’ task, the Legally Brown star recalled his sister’s fears during the December 2014 hostage crisis and how they were alleviated by supportive strangers.
“One of the things that really made me feel positive about Australia going forward … remember that thing at the Lindt cafe?” Hussain said, referring to the siege in Sydney that ended in the death of gunman Man Haron Monis and two victims.
“So, that was horrific. It was very frightening for a lot of people,” he told his fellow contestants.
Listen: Susan Carland speaks about converting to Islam at 19, marrying Waleed and why she chooses to wear the Hijab.
“My sister texted me [that day] and said, ‘Nazeem, I’m scared to wear the hijab home, because I’m afraid someone’s going to attack me.’”
His sister wasn’t alone in this fear. Sensing this, countless Australians pledged to sit with Muslims on public transport to support them, as the hashtag #Illridewithyou trended on Twitter.
“She messaged me later on saying, ‘You know what? I now feel comfortable and safe knowing my fellow Australians are willing to stand up and support me’,” Hussain added.
The 30-year-old began to tear up as he recalled the overwhelming sense of relief and appreciation he felt.
“And that actually made me cry when that happened, because we don’t see that enough. We don’t see Australians coming together for each other.”
"That man [Monis] wanted to divide Australia — he wanted us to turn on each other. But what he did instead is make us come together."
Hussain admitted he often contemplated the impact terrorism was having on Australian society and criticised Pauline Hanson's opinions as having an equal effect.
"I always think, 'What’s going to happen to us? Are we just going to become what ISIS wants us to become — a world where there’s Muslim and non-Muslim?'" he asked.
"You know when Pauline Hanson says things irresponsibly, she’s doing what ISIS is doing — splitting up Muslim and non-Muslim.
"What happens time and again — and this shows the Australian spirit — is we actually find ways to use these opportunities to strengthen bonds."
Other campmates listened on, visibly moved. Ash Pollard later described Hussain's story as "heartbreaking and enlightening".
Top Comments
Obviously this 'comedian' rightly knows
victim status gets a lot of publicity, but what a massive insult to the wonderful citizens of this wonderful country to make such claims.
Quite rightly millions of Australians are outraged by false statements like this and for Nazeem Hussain's information it's not Pauline Hanson whom he alleges is causing division between Muslims and non Muslims, it's statements similar to the ones he just made.
"Millions" of Australians are outraged? Really? More false claims and exaggerations. I think many millions more would agree with him. Because of course Hanson is dividing Muslims and non-Muslims. Even her own supporters would admit this. Come on!
On the topic of Hanson, did you hear that she recently voted to stop building companies from restricting the use of overseas workers? Building companies will now be free to retrench local workers, before those on Visas from overseas. So much for Aussies first! Not only that, but she also voted to stop building workers from insisting on Australian-made safety gear. And to remove any limits on casual or daily building work, or to require big builders to employ apprentices.
Still more, she also said that she'll vote for huge LNP cuts to pensions and family payments. Again, how will that help the Aussie battlers she says she stands for? Lastly, she voted against legislation to increase jail time for illegal gun traffickers. That's right, Senator Hanson sided with bikies and other gun runners, over families wanting safe streets. She is no friend of the Aussie battler. She has proven she is a fraud.
The 'I'll ride with you' campaign was completely made up. Fake news. Oh, but I suppose that's fine if it's for a cause...
Whether or not the original incident happened, the later social media uptake definitely *did* happen, with people discussing it. So Nazeem's point about people being brought together instead of pushed apart is still valid.
Your right, it is fine if it is for a cause. It bought Australians together at a time when we needed it more than ever. I don't think I am overstretching by saying that I think it prevent a lot of retaliatory attacks on innocent Muslims.
It may have brought some of the hand wringing anti Australian establishment together, but it rightly outraged the generous good hearted millions of citizens who had no such intentions of behaving in the way the hashtag presumed to assume.