9News Australia – Muslim community leaders say Islamophobic graffiti found near a school in Sydney’s west is a “stark symbol of the escalating hatred and bigotry manifesting in Australian neighbourhoods”.
A slur referencing the Islamic prophet Muhammad was found spraypainted on a footpath between Chifley and Virgil Avenue in Sefton, near the local high school, last week.
In a joint statement, the Alliance of Australians for Muslims and the Australian National Imams Council condemned the “reprehensible act of Islamophobic vandalism”.
“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,” the statement read.
“Despite repeated occurrences, there remains a troubling lack of adequate response or acknowledgment from political leaders, law enforcement, and media.
“This ongoing negligence contributes to a dangerous perception that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate are not significant enough to warrant real action.
“Any action intended to intimidate, harm, or threaten individuals or groups of people based on their race or religion is utterly unacceptable in our society.”
In January, the words “F— Arabs” and “Israel > Palestine” were graffitied on a popular Lebanese supermarket in Wiley Park.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke lashed out at the “thugs” behind the attack, which he said happened in the neighbouring suburb to his home.
“To the thugs who are trying to intimidate my community you don’t represent Australia, your bigotry is rejected and condemned,” he said at the time.
