Australian politician slams rising Islamophobia
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns erupts over ‘horrifying’ spike in hate crimes towards Muslims post-Bondi; Australian Muslims fear ‘Christchurch-style’ attacks on community
SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) –– Rising instances of Islamophobia in the wake of the Bondi attack, including threats to visibly Muslim women, in Australia have been condemned by New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns, reports news.com.au.
Speaking to reporters, Minns described the rise in racist sentiment and attacks on NSW’s Muslim community as “horrifying”.
“That is a shameful act, a shameful act from anyone in our community that would target, for example, a young Islamic girl who might be wearing a veil in the streets of Sydney,” he said.
“And I want to make it clear that any breaches of our racial vilification or hate speech laws apply to everyone. Police will throw the book at any examples of Islamophobia in our community.”
Minns branded anyone who blamed Australian Muslims for the actions of the two alleged terrorists, as “disgusting”.
“That is appalling. It’d be like blaming Ahmed al Ahmed for the actions of those terrible terrorists on the 14th of December, when we all know he’s an absolute hero,” he said.
Rise in Islamophobic crime
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) has warned that Australian Muslims are being targeted for their faith and being “unfairly scrutinized and implicitly linked to acts of violence they categorically reject” in the wake of the terror attack.
The Australian Muslims are fearful of “Christchurch-style” attacks on their community, ANIC warned on Monday.
The religious organization recorded an almost 200 percent increase in reported anti-Muslim hate incidents since December 14, it said in a statement.
It identified vandalism of Islamic institutions, verbal harassment, physical intimidation, and online hate as among the distressing acts reported since the Bondi massacre.
“Muslim communities are facing an alarming surge in hate-driven incidents, including hateful graffiti at the Islamic College of Melbourne, dismembered pigs thrown onto graves at a Muslim cemetery in Narellan, NSW, and visibly Muslim women being spat at, abused and threatened in Perth, WA,” the organization said.
“Nine mosques and Islamic centers have now reported vandalism or serious security incidents requiring police involvement, forcing places of worship, schools and community spaces to operate under fear and heightened vigilance.
“It is unacceptable that worshippers continue to carry ongoing fears of a Christchurch-style attack amid rising Islamophobia, hate speech and explicit threats of violence.”
ANIC’s support line has also received “distressing calls” from victims, parents and employers of Muslim staff. “Callers have reported escalating abuse, threatening online commentary, increased fear for personal safety and growing anxiety that conditions will worsen in the coming days and weeks,” it said.
“ANIC is also alarmed by the way divisive political rhetoric and irresponsible media commentary stigmatize Muslim communities, reinforce harmful stereotypes and create an environment in which racism and abuse are emboldened.”
The organization branded the backlash against the Muslim community as “unacceptable and dangerous”. “Selective outrage, where some forms of racism are rightly condemned while others are minimized, excused or ignored, further entrenches division and erodes trust,” it said.
“Australia’s safety and strength depend on rejecting all forms of racism consistently and ensuring justice, dignity and security for every Australian.”
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