A surge in Islamophobic attacks has sparked fears of 'retribution' and 'collective punishment' within Muslim communities, following the tragic antisemitic terror attack in Bondi. This incident has cast a long shadow, with Muslim organizations warning of a dangerous backlash. The Australian National Imams Council's Action Against Islamophobia initiative has recorded a staggering 200% increase in anti-Muslim incidents since the attack on December 14th. At least nine mosques and Islamic centers have reported serious security breaches and vandalism, requiring police intervention.
The support line has been inundated with distressing calls from victims, parents, and employers of Muslim staff. Callers describe escalating abuse, threatening online commentary, and a growing fear for personal safety. There's a palpable sense of anxiety that conditions will worsen in the coming days and weeks.
The prominent Albanian Mosque in Melbourne's Carlton has been targeted for the first time in years, receiving a hateful email that called Islam a 'death cult' and demanded the community 'get out of Judeo-Christian society.' Selima Ymer, president of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Women's Committee, believes this email is a reaction to the Bondi attack.
The Chanukah by the Sea festival tragedy on December 14th left 15 people dead and dozens injured. Ms. Ymer expressed her concern, wondering where this escalating Islamophobia could lead. She fears it could escalate into terrorist violence akin to the 2019 Christchurch massacre, where an armed gunman targeted Muslims, killing 51 and injuring 40.
Naveed Akram, one of the gunmen in the Bondi shooting, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. Police suspect the attack was inspired by Islamic State, a designated terrorist organization in Australia.
Muslim organizations and mosques have publicly condemned the antisemitic attack and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. The Australian National Imams Council issued a statement denouncing the Islamic State's actions and ideology, which they say stand in opposition to Islam's teachings and values. They emphasize that the group should be referred to as ISIS or Daesh, as it does not deserve any association with Islam.
Despite this, Muslim organizations and leaders fear 'retribution' and 'collective punishment' as their religion is associated with the shooters. This is despite the heroic actions of Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian immigrant and Muslim, who bravely confronted one of the gunmen unarmed.
Victoria Police has vowed to investigate the hateful email sent to the Albanian Mosque and takes all reports of racial and hateful behavior extremely seriously. They remind the public that online comments have real-world consequences and can lead to criminal charges.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the rise in attacks as 'horrifying' and emphasized that racism will not be tolerated. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke echoed this sentiment, stating that 'all hate is wrong' and that good Australians should not be blamed for the actions of others based on their background or faith.
The Islamophobia Register Australia reports a significant increase in Islamophobic attacks, with an average of 18 incidents daily since December 14th. These range from graffiti and slurs on a Brisbane mosque to vandalism at an Islamic college in Melbourne. Police are investigating the throwing of 'several' pig heads at a Muslim cemetery in New South Wales, the day after the Bondi attack, and the posting of hateful comments and messages on the social media accounts of Islamic organizations and mosques.
The Islamic Council of Victoria's president, Mohamed Mohideen, says they've received dozens of threatening phone calls since the Bondi attack and had to disable comments on their social media channels due to the influx of hateful messages. Dr. Mohideen emphasizes that hate can manifest both online and in physical assaults, and no one should feel unsafe practicing their faith.
He believes terms like 'radical Islam' and 'Islamic terrorism' have fueled fear, leading some to believe that Muslims are the enemy and the cause of societal problems. The ANIC warns that 'selective outrage' only serves to deepen divisions and erode trust. Australia's safety and strength, they say, depend on consistently rejecting all forms of racism and ensuring justice, dignity, and security for all Australians.
Deakin University counter-terrorism expert Greg Barton highlights the challenges faced by Muslim community leaders. They must strike a delicate balance, ensuring that events like the Bondi attack do not trigger Islamophobia while also condemning those who act wrongly in the name of Islam. Professor Barton emphasizes that radicalization and extremism are global problems and that individual acts do not represent a community as a whole.
Muslim community groups in New South Wales are taking precautionary measures in response to the rise in hate and threats. A committee member from the Minto Mosque in southwest Sydney, who wishes to remain anonymous, says several community members are now sleeping at the mosque as part of increased security measures.
Back in Melbourne, Ms. Ymer expresses her concern for Muslim women who wear hijabs or scarves, believing they would be easy targets. She advocates for an education program similar to the Antisemitism Education Taskforce to tackle Islamophobia. The 12-month task force is part of the federal government's response to combat antisemitism and will consider actions to address the issue within the education system.
In September, the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, published a framework report with 54 recommendations, including education on anti-racism. The government has indicated its willingness to consider these recommendations. Ms. Ymer believes that by understanding Muslims better, people will realize that they are just average Australians, and this could help alleviate some of the fear and hate.
