ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
TIME TO CONDEMN ISLAMOPHOBIA
New research released today by Charles Sturt University has revealed Australian Muslims experiences of Islamophobia.
The study analysed 349 incidents reported to the Islamophobia Register between 2016 and 2017.
It found that 70 per cent of the victims were female and almost all were wearing a hijab or scarf.
In one alleged incident, a mother and daughter were crossing a road when they were rammed by a car. Other reported incidents included women having their head scarves ripped off and being physically intimidated.
Racism and abuse are completely unacceptable.
Islamophobia in Australia must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
The vast majority of Australians will be shocked and appalled by the accounts of racist abuse detailed in this report.
Labor stands in solidarity with the Islamic communities of Queensland following news that the Townsville Mosque was vandalised on Friday.
It follows a number of Islamophobic incidents at the Holland Park mosque in Brisbane.
It’s time for all Australians to stand together in hope and reject hate.