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The Project's Waleed Aly has launched an impassioned plea for unity following the Paris terror attacks, saying that divisive actions of hate will serve only to help Islamic State.
In comments which drew widespread praise across social media, Aly said on Monday night's The Project that IS' aim was to split the world into "two camps ... A global war between Muslims and everyone else".
"We are all feeling a million raging emotions right now. I am angry at these terrorists. I am sickened by the violence and I am crushed for the families that have been left behind, but, you know what, I won't be manipulated. We all need to come together.
"I know how that sounds. I know it's a cliche but it's also true because it's exactly what ISIL doesn't want. So if you're a member of Parliament or a has-been member of Parliament preaching hate at a time when what we actually need is more love, you are helping ISIL. They have told us that.
"If you are just someone with a Facebook or Twitter account firing off misguided missives of hate, you are helping ISIL. They have told us that.
"I am pretty sure that right now none of us wants to help these bastards."
Recent attacks and threats against Muslims would serve to only aid IS's aims, he said.
"They want societies like France and here in Australia to turn on each other.
"They want countries like ours to reject their Muslims and vilify them."
Calling the organisation "weak", he said, "What we don't know yet is if the attack was planned, ordered or funded by ISIL's leaders in Syria because the problem is, this is what ISIL do. They take credit for any act of terrorism on Western soil so they appear bigger and tougher than they actually are."
He went on to say: "ISIL leaders would be ecstatic to hear that Muslims have been reportedly threatened and attacked in England, America and here in Australia because this evil organisation has it in their heads that if they can make Muslims the enemy of the West, then Muslims in France and England and America and here in Australia will have nowhere to turn but to ISIL.
"That was exactly their strategy in Iraq. And now they want it to go global.
"Saying that out loud, it is both dumbfounding in its stupidity and blood-curdling in its barbarity."
Waleed Aly is a national treasure, somebody bottle him and give him a knighthood #TheProjectTV— Tim Archer (@Subversion13)
November 16, 2015
OH Waleed...I love you even more! #TheProjectTV An intelligent voice of reason— Glenys (@glenpen60)
November 16, 2015
#TheProjectTV thank you Waleed for the most articulate, intelligent, important and powerful monologue I've ever seen on television.— Julie Goodwin (@_JulieGoodwin)
November 16, 2015
Phenomenal editorial by Waleed Aly. If you missed it, look it up #theprojecttv— Mich (@SurfBumMich)
November 16, 2015
Bloody bravo, Waleed Aly. #TheProjectTV— Brennan Wilson (@mrWLSN)
November 16, 2015
#spreadthelove #theprojectTV Waleed has so much heart, and he always articulates it as we need to hear it. https://t.co/kHkqp9xNzo— Ece (@aflutter)
November 16, 2015