“I was shocked,” Mr Naqeeb said.

The local general surgeon was reminded of his time in Iraq more than 10 years ago when al-Qaeda was in control and explosions, kidnapping, torture and murder were part of everyday life.

“I couldn’t sleep that night. I was reminded of the suffering my friends and family experienced in Iraq and I didn’t want anybody else to go thorough that.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ballarat Muslim community, Mr Naqeeb condemned those behind the Paris terrorist attacks, saying the extremist actions of ISIL were in complete contrast with the teachings of Islam.

Mr Naqeeb, who is also the Islamic Society of Ballarat president, said members of such terrorist organisations could only be described as “dirty-minded criminals”.

“ISIL is not Islam. They are against everything we believe and are targetting everyone irrespective of their religious background. Muslims are also their victims,” he said.

“Everyone behind those attacks is a criminal and the Muslim community has completely disassociated from them.”

Saturday’s gun and bomb attacks across six locations in Paris left at least 129 people dead in what has been dubbed the deadliest attacks in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings.

This week, The Project presenter Waleed Aly delivered a powerful to-camera monologue explaining that ISIL’s primary objective was to turn the entire world against Islam by claiming all terrorist acts as its own and doing so in the name of Islam.

WATCH IT HERE:

The video went viral, with almost 10 million views, around 300,000 shares on Facebook and thousands of comments.

Echoing Aly’s sentiments, Mr Naqeeb said ISIL’s aim was to cause disunity, pressuring the adherents of Islam, particularly in western countries, to return to the Middle East.

“They are trying to use the name of Islam to cause division and to turn everyone else against us,” he said.

“They want to disrupt the unity between Muslims and non-Muslims so the Muslims are forced to leave their countries and go to their homes which are likely controlled by ISIL.

Mr Naqeeb said it was now more important than ever for people of all faiths to stand united, and that the only way to conquer hate was through the promotion of love.

“The one who kills innocent people is not Muslim. There is no doubt about that,” he said.

“Our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to all the French people.”