For every unhinged psychopath like Man Haron Monis, there are a million people whose hearts bleed for victims they never knew.

It’s evidenced by the moving procession of mourners laying flowers in Martin Place, by the army of Aussies who volunteered to travel on public transport with a Muslim commuter, by the extraordinary cascade of grief flowing through social media.

The media is right to try to bring home the horror of the siege and to examine what dark forces motivated the gunman.

But once that story has been told, which it has, the more important story should emerge. The story honouring the victims and the rescuers. And the story of how we collectively reconcile the events of this week and move forward as a nation.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can. The best way to combat the terror threat is to reach out to our fellow Muslim-Australians. 

Humanity and caring will start the healing process, not more aggression.

Islam is a religion of peace.

That a deranged few use it as a means to justify abhorrent actions is no fault of the vast majority of Muslims.

Terrorism is the currency of the powerless and marginalised.

If we disempower and marginalise innocent Muslims further, we will simply create more terrorism.

But while we should be guided by compassion and common sense, authorities must be resolute in stamping out extremist elements in Australia. Why should we, or any other country, tolerate this behaviour?

It’s simple: dangerous radicals should be expelled back to their homeland.

And a thorough investigation must be launched into how this man, already accused of such vile acts, was able to be free on bail.

Freedom from terror will come by targeting individuals based on real information, not tarring an entire religion with the same brush.