Sydney Authorities Speak Out Against Islamophobic Graffiti
Treasurer Jim Chalmers condemned the Islamophobic graffiti discovered in Sefton, a multicultural suburb in Sydney’s west, describing it as ‘disgraceful and completely unacceptable.’ He called for unity amidst escalating tensions.
The offensive messages, such as “[Expletive] Islam” and “cancel Islam,” were found spray-painted in Sefton. New South Wales (NSW) Police have initiated an investigation into the incident which occurred on a Sunday morning.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers reiterated his stance, stating, “It was cowardly, and there’s no place for it. We don’t want to see the problems of the world tearing our communities apart. There’s too much of this, and we all need to come together at this time because people are genuinely worried about their own communities and their safety.”
Education Minister Jason Clare also condemned the Islamophobic and antisemitic acts, emphasizing the need to address and call out such behavior. He highlighted that racism is learned and not innate.
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Senator Dave Sharma, despite previously downplaying Islamophobia, denounced the graffiti as “abhorrent and disgraceful.” He stressed the urgent need to stop the intimidation, harassment, and vilification of religious communities in Australia.
The incident aligns with data from the Islamophobia Register, indicating a significant increase in Islamophobic incidents across Australia. The organisation highlighted a 600 percent rise in Islamophobic acts, posing a serious threat to Muslims’ safety.
A survey by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) revealed widespread Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiment, and discrimination in ACT universities. The survey results indicated the negative impacts on the mental health and safety of affected individuals.
Rising Intolerance Sparks Calls for Action
The recent incidents of religious intolerance, including the graffiti in Sefton and anti-Israel messages in other suburbs, have prompted calls for action. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the crucial need to counter hate crimes and foster social cohesion in Australia.
A federal police task force has been established to investigate anti-Semitic incidents following an arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported a significant surge in anti-Semitic incidents in the past year, underscoring the challenges in maintaining social harmony.
