In a deeply troubling series of events, Melbourne’s Muslim community has been left shaken after two women wearing hijabs were allegedly assaulted in broad daylight at a local shopping center. The incidents, which police are now investigating as potentially Islamophobic attacks, have reignited concerns about the safety and wellbeing of Muslims in Australia.
Brutal Attacks Leave Victims Traumatized
The alleged attacks occurred on Thursday afternoon at the Epping shopping centre in Melbourne’s north. Two Muslim women, aged 26 and 30, were separately targeted by a female assailant who reportedly struck the younger victim in the face before shoving her to the ground. Both women, who were wearing hijabs at the time, required hospital treatment for their injuries.
Speaking to Guardian Australia, the 26-year-old victim, who asked to remain anonymous, described the attack as utterly horrifying and unprovoked. “I am terrified to go out, I am terrified to leave these four walls of my house, something I never thought I would say,” she revealed, her voice trembling with emotion. “My mental and physical health is at zero, even below zero. Every day, it gets worse for me, it was so random it has traumatised me.”
The young woman, who was born in Australia, said she had no doubt the assault was motivated by Islamophobia. “It is 100% because I am Muslim. I am born here, this is my country. Where do I go when I am attacked in my own country?” Her anguished words lay bare the deep pain and disillusionment felt by many in the Muslim community.
Police Investigate Potential Hate Crimes
Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating the shocking incidents, including the possibility that they were “prejudice-motivated assaults.” A police spokesperson emphasized, “There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) swiftly condemned the attacks, labeling them “heinous and barbaric” in a statement. “These attacks represent a horrifying escalation of Islamophobic violence targeted at innocent people in our communities simply because of their faith. We demand justice for the victims and assert that no act of hate should be minimised or ignored.”
“It is imperative to ensure the safety and dignity of every individual, regardless of faith.”
– Australian National Imams Council
Vile Graffiti Adds to Mounting Islamophobia
Disturbingly, the Melbourne assaults are not isolated incidents. Just days earlier, Islamophobic graffiti was discovered on a footpath in Sefton, western Sydney. The spray-painted message allegedly read, “RasulAllah is a dead Pedo” – a repugnant reference to the prophet Muhammad.
Local Muslim organizations expressed their disgust at the “reprehensible act”, noting it marked yet another attack in an area home to a significant Muslim population. “The offensive graffiti, sprayed in black across a popular local footpath, is not just a personal affront but a stark symbol of the escalating hatred and bigotry manifesting in Australian neighbourhoods,” they said in a joint statement.
Leaders Urged to Confront Islamophobia Head-On
As the Muslim community reels from these distressing incidents, many are asking pointed questions about the lack of strong leadership on this critical issue. The ANIC and other advocacy groups argue there has been “a troubling lack of adequate response or acknowledgement from political leaders, law enforcement and media” despite the escalating number of Islamophobic attacks.
In late 2022, vile anti-Muslim graffiti was also uncovered in an underpass in western Sydney, prompting Premier Chris Minns to decry the vandalism as “disgusting.” However, many believe much more needs to be done to tackle the scourge of Islamophobia head-on.
- Community leaders are calling for:
- Swift and unequivocal condemnation of all Islamophobic incidents from elected officials and authority figures
- Increased funding and resources for programs aimed at fostering social cohesion and religious tolerance
- More comprehensive hate crime reporting mechanisms and support services for victims
- Greater investment in Islamic community organizations and projects
As Australia grapples with this spate of deeply disturbing anti-Muslim incidents, it is clear that urgent action is needed to stem the rising tide of Islamophobia. The onus is now on leaders across all levels of society to stand up and be counted – to send an unambiguous message that hatred, bigotry, and violence against any group will never be accepted in a multicultural nation built on diversity and inclusion.
For the victims of these callous Islamophobic attacks, the scars – both physical and emotional – may never fully heal. But by confronting this insidious form of racism openly and decisively, Australia can begin to chart a path forward that protects and uplifts all its citizens, irrespective of their faith or background. The time for platitudes and inaction is over; the moment demands bold leadership and an unwavering commitment to a more just, equitable, and harmonious future for all.
