An independent councillor has ignited a fierce controversy by drawing direct parallels between Australia Day and Holocaust remembrance, suggesting that celebrating the national holiday could potentially lead to future genocides.
Controversial Comments on Social Media
Ahmed Ouf, an Independent Cumberland City councillor representing South Granville Ward in western Sydney, made the incendiary remarks in a series of videos posted to his official social media pages. The ward is home to approximately 51,000 residents.
In his statements, Ouf described January 26, 1788 – the date the First Fleet arrived – as marking the beginning of what he termed the 'Australian Holocaust'. He asserted that prior to colonisation, Australia was inhabited by around one million Aboriginal people living in what he called 'stable societies that had thrived for tens of thousands of years'.
Historical Claims and Calls for Truth
Ouf detailed a harrowing account of colonisation's impact on First Nations peoples, listing 'massacres, genocide, forced removals, ethnic cleansing, and introduced diseases' among the consequences. He further cited 'the destruction of land, food systems, families, and culture' as part of this historical narrative.
'This isn't about asking you to apologise for something you didn't do,' Ouf clarified in his video address. 'It's about telling the truth because the truth is the foundation of justice.'
Doubling Down and Wider Connections
The councillor reinforced his position in a subsequent video, controversially linking Australia Day to several contemporary tragedies including the Bondi Beach terror attack, ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine.
'If you truly care about the victims of Bondi, if the mass killings of Palestinians over the past two years have moved you, and if the suffering of the Ukrainian people has shaken you, then stand with us this Monday,' Ouf implored viewers.
He issued a stark warning to those who celebrate the national day: 'If you are okay with celebrating the beginning of a genocide, maybe one day when you have the chance, you might start another genocide.'
A Day for Mourning, Not Celebration
Ouf called on Australians to reconsider their approach to January 26, stating unequivocally: 'This is not a day to celebrate. It's a day to acknowledge truth, to mourn injustice, and demand change.'
He concluded with a determined pledge: 'We will keep pushing until truth is recognised, until justice is honoured.'
Immediate Backlash and Criticism
The posts provoked immediate and widespread condemnation across social media platforms. One user accused Ouf of deliberately attempting to 'divide Australians', while another dismissively suggested he should 'stick to cleaning streets, emptying bins and providing parks'.
Fellow Councillor's Strong Condemnation
Cumberland City councillor and former mayor Steve Christou delivered a particularly forceful rebuke, describing Ouf's comparison between Australia Day, the Holocaust, and the Bondi Beach attack as 'deeply offensive'.
'These comments are offensive to both the Australian people and the Jewish population,' Christou told the Daily Telegraph, highlighting what he perceived as a fundamental contradiction in Ouf's position.
'On one hand Cr Ouf wants to celebrate Australia Day by handing out three national flags and on the other hand he is comparing Australia Day celebrations to Holocaust remembrance,' Christou observed. 'It would appear Councillor Ouf does not know what he believes in.'
Christou urged local residents to celebrate the national day 'loudly and proudly', directly countering Ouf's call for mourning and reflection. Daily Mail has contacted Ahmed Ouf for further comment regarding the escalating controversy.
