CJ HAMBROS PLASS, OSLO (VG) President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani (39) calls for gathering – not division – after the shooting in Oslo.
Updated less than 10 minutes ago
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Night to Saturday, CJ Hambro’s square, in the middle of Oslo city center, was filled with tears and despairing, terrifying screams. Saturday afternoon there were only tears left – and an ever-increasing sea of colorful flowers.
Among those who had turned up to lay down a bouquet was Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (Labor).
– It is terrible, brutal, and a dark day in our nation’s history, he says to VG.
It was a hot summer night where people were out enjoying themselves, which was suddenly turned into hell. Shots, people killed, injured. My thoughts go to those who have lost their loved ones and those who are affected, continues Gharahkhani, who was affected during the flowering.
It was Zaniar Matapour (42) who was behind the attack in which two people were killed and over 20 injured. He is now charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts. The Iranian-born man came to Norway as a refugee at a young age, but is said to have been radicalized over the years, according to the Police Security Service (PST).
Gharahkhani also came to Norway as a refugee from Iran. For both him and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, it is important to promote unity before division after the cruel attack.
– I know that many Muslims are scared and despairing. Then it is our responsibility that no one other than the person behind the attack is made responsible, says Støre.
– Hatred is hatred, and has nothing to do with religion or background, Gharahkhani says.
– Are you afraid that this will lead to more division?
– We must ensure that the people who want to carry out such actions do not divide us as a nation. We must take care of community values, that we have respect for each other, that we stand up for each other, and that together we deal with hate speech, actions and hate crime, Gharahkhani believes.
He has been in contact with one of those who experienced the drama up close.
– On my way to the Storting today, my mother called me. It turns out that one of the guards at the London Pub is a friend of the family, and has worked there for 4-5 years. He also has a Muslim background, but he tried to save people and was friends with the great people who were here, says the President of the Storting.
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– He shared the dramatic stories he had experienced with me. I asked him to take care of himself. We are a nation that is strongly affected, and then it is important that we take care of each other, he explains.
Gharahkhani takes a hard line against keyboard warriors who spread conspiracy theories, and those who go a step further: committing hate crimes.
This week, the Storting raised the Pride flag for the first time. According to Gharahkhani, the vast majority have reacted positively to this selection, but:
– We also see that it abounds with hate speech and incitement in social media. It’s nauseating. If we as a society do not settle with it, then it is those who will think that it is normal. Then it can have serious consequences, he believes.
Leader of Skeiv Verden, Bassel Anis Hatoum, says that it has been difficult with queers with a minority background:
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