Yesterday, at about 2 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time, I returned to my home in Melbourne after going for a walk and buying something for lunch.
As I put Raw Story on my iPad, I saw a breaking news headline: A gunman had taken hostages in a Sydney café and forced them to hold up an Islamic flag.
Now, after a multi-hour hostage crisis, he and two of his hostages lay dead.
It does appear to be an Islamic extremist terrorist attack, albeit a lone wolf one not very well coordinated or organized.
In that previous sentence, I emphasize the word "extremist".
In the aftermath of this horrific incident, it has become clear how much Australia's Muslim community abhors what has happened and anything like it.
50 Muslim organizations have all released a statement condemning the attack unequivocally.
Muslims have prayed for peace in the direction of the café.
At this time, I want to say how much I condemn any violence or prejudice or hatred that may be directed at Muslim people.
There's neither a justification nor a place for it in our society.
To Australia's Muslims: I'll ride with you.