Australian Muslims see Islamophobia rising after Bondi attack

By M. A. Madani

SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) – In the aftermath of the Bondi attack, fear and uncertainty have rippled across Australia, raising serious concerns within the Muslim community about safety, perception and belonging. 

While authorities have urged the public not to link the actions of two individuals to an entire faith, many Muslims say the social impact has already been felt—especially online.

Ismail (name changed), an Australian citizen, while talking to MNTV said there has been a noticeable change in behavior toward Muslims since the attack. “We’ve seen vandalism at Islamic schools and mosques, and it’s been growing day by day,” he said. 

According to him, social media has added fuel to the situation, with cruel comments and videos circulating that mock Muslims and question Islam as a religion of peace. “We are being judged based on the actions of a few people, and that’s unfair,” he added. 

Ismail said he has not personally experienced direct racism, the online hostility has created fear within the community. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable practising my faith openly in crowded public places right now,” he said, explaining that tensions can escalate unexpectedly. 

He stressed that Muslims now feel pressure to choose their words carefully, fearing that anything could be misinterpreted and used against them. 

Women, particularly those who wear hijab, face heightened safety concerns, Ismail noted. “They visibly represent their faith, and that makes them more vulnerable,” he said, pointing out that some women have altered how they wear hijab in public to avoid attention. 

He also criticized sensational media coverage, saying repeated emphasis on religion in headlines can reinforce negative stereotypes. While authorities do respond to incidents, he said, many feel anti-Muslim hate crimes are not always treated with the same urgency as is so-called anti-semitism. 

Imran, a resident of Newcastle, said that after violent incidents there is often a short-term shift in public behavior, but most Australians respond with solidarity. “A small minority reacts with suspicion, especially when misinformation spreads online,” he said. He added that overall social behavior remains largely normal, and he personally did not experience racism, though he acknowledged a few isolated incidents affecting others. 

Imran described social media as a double-edged sword. Community leaders, journalists and allies use it to correct misinformation and promote unity, but false claims about perpetrators can spread quickly before facts are confirmed, fuelling Islamophobia. 

He also noted that extremist or white supremacist groups tend to increase their online activity after such attacks, using fear and uncertainty to push anti-Muslim narratives, mostly in digital spaces rather than public rallies.

Even without experiencing such incidents directly, many Muslims feel uneasy. “People feel less safe practising their faith openly after attacks like this,” Imran said, referring to praying at public places or wearing religious clothing. 

He echoed concerns about Muslim women being frequent targets of harassment but said Australian authorities generally provide platforms to report hate crimes and take action when cases are raised.

Experiences differ significantly by location. Sadia, a resident of Perth who migrated to Australia two years ago, said there has been no noticeable change in behavior there. “This happened in Sydney. Perth is peaceful,” she said. 

According to her, people continue daily life as usual, and no incidents have been reported within her community. She emphasized that perceptions can vary across cities and that not all Muslim communities are facing the same challenges.