300+ Muslims DEMAND the Australian Government takes responsibility for Islamophobia
Monday, 25 March 2019
And here it is!
As a community, we are shattered by the recent act of terror in Christchurch.
For years, we have warned against the use of racist and discriminatory language in media and politics. We warned that this creates a culture of fear and hysteria that would inevitably result in exactly this type of attack.
We also acknowledge our brothers and sisters in the Indigenous community who have resisted white supremacist violence on this continent for over two centuries.
We owe it to the victims of this massacre to bear witness to the truth of why they died. Their deaths cannot be used to whitewash the reality of how this occurred.
While our political leaders have expressed sympathy over the deaths of our brothers and sisters, there has been little responsibility taken for their own role in creating a political climate that has demonised the Muslim community for decades.
Sadly, we remember the numerous times the Coalition have used the Muslim community as targets in vicious debates around immigration, multiculturalism and national security.
We remember when Liberal Party Senators lined up to kiss, hug and shake hands with Pauline Hanson – a woman who has referred to Islam as a ‘disease’ – following her openly Islamophobic return speech to Parliament.
We remember when Liberal Party Senators openly congratulated Fraser Anning after his explicit reference to a ‘final solution’ when discussing Muslim immigration.
We remember when Peter Dutton suggested that sections of our community should never have been allowed into this country in the first place.
We remember when elected Liberal Party representatives campaigned to remove Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act under the guise of protecting ‘free speech.’
We remember when Liberal Party Senators joined One Nation to vote in favour of the white nationalist slogan ‘It’s OK to be white.’
This climate of hostility breeds discrimination, harassment and ultimately violence.
A truly safe society is one where no community should fear that they will be made scapegoats or demonised for the sake of cheap political point-scoring.
If our leaders are truly committed to building a society where our community can live in safety, they must make real assurances that they will not resort to this language of racism and division.
List of signatories
- Ahmed Abou-Zaid, President – Islamophobia Watch Australia
- Ghaith Krayem, Community Advocate, Former President – Islamic Council of Victoria
- Asad Ansari, Former Board Member – Islamic Council of Victoria
- Omar Abdo, Community Member, Former Board Member, Islamic Council of Victoria
- Muslim Legal Network (NSW) Inc
- Hajeh Maha Abdo, OAM, CEO Muslim Womens Association
- Maher Mughrabi, Features Editor, The Age
- Ramzy Alamudi, Managing Direction, Mercy Mission Media
- Ramesh Fernandez, Founder RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees)
- Waleed Mussa, Advisory Committee Director, RISE
- Dr Oishee Alam, Academic
- Ahmed Yussuf, Writer and Journalist
- Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Artist
- Nazeem Hussain, Comedian
- Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, Macquarie University
- Dr Shakira Hussein, Writer and Researcher
- Imran Lum, Founder, Markaz Institute, AMIC
- Aamer Rahman, Writer/ Comedian
- William Scates Frances – Academic
- Aliya Ahmad, Democracy in Colour/ Essential Media Communications
- Sara Saleh, Writer and GetUp! Director
- Tasneem Chopra, Cross Cultural Consultant
- Dr Mehal Krayem, Academic
- Monique Toohey, Psychologist
- Eugenia Flynn, Writer, Arts Worker and Community Organiser
- Dr Susie Latham, Writer and Academic
- Aneesa Williams, Secretary General, PACSA
- Mohammad Ahmad Qashla, Academic, USYD
- Nasser Alkhateeb, Community organiser
- Zaahir Edries, Community Advocate
- Mohamed Taha, Journalist
- Mostafa Rachwani, Journalist
- Mohamed Ali, GetUp!
- Fahad Ali, Founder – Muslims for Marriage Equality
- Dr Sahar Ghumkhor, Academic
- Fatima Mawas, Filmmaker
- Naveen Krishnasamy, Community Advocate, Writer
- Dr Maria Bhatti, Legal Academic
- Asma Fahmi, Video Producer/ Volunteer, Islamophobia Register
- Kamran Khalid, Lawyer
- Munira Yusuf,Youth Worker
- Miran Hosny, Solicitor
- Khaled Abdu, IT Manager
- Osman Khelil, Public Servant
- Mouna Sawan, Academic
- Lina Daher, Child Protection Office /FACS / MWA Assistant Secretary
- Hanan Dover, Clinical Psychologist – Mission of Hope
- Sarah Kara-Ali, Dentist
- Naushad Ilahee
- Subeyr Mohamed
- Scott Fraser, CEO, Frasers GAMSAT
- May Fahmi, IT Consultant
- Gina Chowdhury, PhD Candidate, UNSW/ Secretary, Australian Muslim Women’s Association
- Ustadha Umm Jamaal ud-Din, Educator
- Fathima Khatree, Registered Nurse/ Community Events Volunteer
- Sabah Rind, Indigenous Community Engagement Advisor
- Nouha Hamdache, Legal Support Officer, Legal Aid
- Iman Abdulhai
- Cindy Rahal, Occupational Therapist
- Dr Zena Kassir, Scientist
- Dr Gary Dargan, Researcher
- Ms. Ayse Berk, Teacher/ Volunteer – Benevelonce Australia
- Hulya Tugcu, Project Manager
- Baha Yehia, Community Leader
- Sadia Sheikh, Solicitor
- Zahin Ilahee, General Practioner
- Dr. Lutfiye Ali, Research Fellow
- Sejla Sabanovic
- Mariam Albaf, Teacher
- Nina Trad Azam, Mental Health Social Worker
- Adeeba Hanif
- Mustafa Dogan
- Hana Assafiri, Restaurateur, Community Justice Advocate
- Rachma Pesuri Ahmad, Educator
- Mr. Yasar Berk, Electrical Fitter/ Kesborough Mosque, Melbourne
- Mrs. Mevludiye Berk, Keysborough Mosque, Melbourne
- Hodan Ismail
- Amyra Haan
- Sue Samad / NDIS Management
- Ataman Atlas, Solicitor
- Wafa Kazal, University Student
- Nemat Kharboutli
- Tuba Allahwala, Optometrist
- Farhan Khan, Project Manager
- Ms Aysenur Ljatif, Administrator
- Mariam Singh, Brand Protection Coordinator
- Mostafa Haroun, High School Teacher
- Sarah Hamdan, Pharmacist
- Dr Rasha Rahman, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Mrs Fatma Erciyas. Teacher
- Sarah Abdulhai, Pharmacist
- Haweya Ismail, Director, Mud & Musk
- Lina Albaf, Student
- Nasreen Hanifi, Psychologist, President – Mission of Hope
- Nancy Umm Rashid, Teacher
- Humeyra Yildiz
- Haluk Erciyas
- Lauren Thomas, Nurse
- Nora Thomas
- Meryem Aker, Student
- Sarah Thomas, Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Rabea Khan, Barrister
- Ayse Sayan, Student
- Heba Elsaid
- Samar Hajj Obeid
- Lala Sheikh, Retired Volunteer, St Vinnies/ Red Cross
- Eman Taleb
- Mr Omer Koç, Building Designer.
- Zoha Ali
- Jonathan Farmer
- Mr Ace Aytas
- Maisa Chowk, Oral Health Therapist
- Adam Zanaty
- Afiq Abdul-Malek, Learning and Development Consultant
- Aisha Martino, Teacher
- Rania Abo-Elhoda, Project manager
- Mary Jeroff, Designer
- Sema Yilmaz
- Luqman Hakim, Engineer
- Sumaiya Suleman
- Mr Rayan Adasi
- Brice Hamack, Solicitor/Barrister
- Ms. Sophia Haq, Instructional Designer
- Adalya Nash Hussein, Online Editor, The Lifted Brow
- Wasima Islam, Public servant
- Dr Safdar Ahmed, Artist, Community Art and Cultural Development worker
- Anika Moeen, Senior Analyst
- Tim Dunlea, Retail Manager
- Fay Massoud
- Reyhan Unal
- Owais Saeed
- Fariha Kayes
- Sanah Wahid Banihali
- April Pertev
- Nadia Aguilera
- Sumaira Siddiqui
- Husan Ruzehaji (Student Support Advisor)
- Nina Hodza
- Fatma Nouredine, Telephone Crisis Supporter
- Karima Baadilla
- Tam Rind
- Naz Allam, Medical Liaison
- Amal El-Khub
- Adem Kolar, High School Teacher
- Kenan Kolar, Labourer
- Amani Haydar, Lawyer, Advocate Against Gender Based Violence
- Ozair Siddiqui
- Ahmad Shah Idil
- Broderic Indranada
- Fazal Ilahee, Teacher
- Mr. Mohamad Raad, Engineer
- Tarek Elgammal
- Ms Arwa Abousamra, Professional Interpreter/ Author
- Sonia Bilal, Teacher
- Rozanna Zoobi, Pharmacist
- Kylie Liddle
- Magan Magan, Writer
- Hector Kemp
- Abdul Hadi Shah-Idil, Teaching Academic
- Fayez Moussa
- Oula Balli
- Janel Yau
- Shazeea Mohamed Ali
- Linda Abdelqader
- Dr Mahrita Harahap, Statistician
- Sami Khan
- Syazwina Saw
- Ovais Khan, Consulatant
- Hosai Saidi, Teacher
- Ayah Meri, University Student
- Asif Miah, Medical Sonographer
- Bilal Khan
- Adnan Pal, Risk Manager
- Salik Hameed Khawaja, Writer
- Fatemeh Abdi
- Safdar Iqbal
- Fatemeh Abdi, Podiatrist
- Iman Omar, Primary School Principal
- Rose Arkin, Advocate
- Zafar Mohamed Rizvi
- Inaz Janif, Educator
- Saffiah El Attar, Mental Health Worker
- Rafi Sheikh, Engineer
- Samir Mohammad Mustavi, Student
- Hamdy Amrizal, Optometrist
- Samin Kazemzade, Student
- Omar Bensaidi
- Assad Abdi
- Jehan Youssef
- Palwesha Yusaf, Social Impact Consultant
- Fahad Akhand, UX designer, University of Canberra
- Tuba Ozak, Teacher
- Samantha Choudhury, Urban Planner and Community Engagement Specialist
- Anna Tate, Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
- Sareh Salarzadeh. Education Advisor & Consultant
- Chloë Green. Company Director
- Faz Shukhrat
- Ali Hasnat, Accountant
- Kishwar Chowdhury, Business owner
- Nadia Ricardo, Administration Manager
- Sue Najjarine, Health and Wellness Consultant
- Lina Ayad, Accountant
- Rabia Sonvadi
- Salam Eljendi, Business Owner
- Abdul Rahman Reijerink, Teacher
- Unmy Amin
- Qamar Ali, Educator
- Mrs Sana Abdi
- Emine Soylu
- Munira Ali, Student
- Saba Khan
- Hala El Husseini
- Yoanita Marselia, Teacher
- Md Rahman, Treasurer, SWMA
- Maria Osman, Diversity and Gender Consultant
- Sabeeh Hussain, Financial Analyst
- Adeeb Chowdhury, Mechanical Engineer
- Tanvir Uddin
- Tamim Rahman, Lawyer
- Kevin James Simpson, Waiter
- Abrar Chowdhury
- F. Rifka Naufal
- Sameh Abdelhamid, IT manager
- Syar Hosseini, Social Worker
- Lisa Hart. Student
- Sabeen
- Mohamed Elmasri, Manufacturing
- Nayyar Ghaznavi, Chief Information Officer
- Mahereen Muneer, Consultant, PwC
- Emily Ilyas, Merchandise Coordinator
- Tariq Abdur-Rahman, Community Organiser
- Iman Mansour, Educator
- Beenash Chattha, Social Worker
- Momina Naveed, PhD Student
- Shakira Ali
- Patrick Taliauli, Personal Trainer
- Ms. Faddela Khoder, Teacher
- Yaseen Hussain, Project Coordinator
- Nazley Khan
- Nada Elzohbi, Teacher and Volunteer
- Mrs. Azizah Anasril, Registered Midwife and Nurse
- Ushna Bashir, Student
- Nourhane El-Ashrafi
- Adnan Nayeem Ahmed
- Dr MI Bhatti, Professor
- Mohammad Awad, Mental Health Peer Worker
- Veronika Elkady, Student
- Yusuf Mohamud, Lawyer
- Ms Samah Elomari, Physiotherapist
- Aisha Saed
- Larissa Dulat, Mums 4 Refugees Sydney Convener
- Amona Hassab, Community Development Officer
- Saaro Omar, Student
- Rubia Shafi, Accountant
- Mahiuddin Huq, Community Social Worker
- Mouna Zaylah, Community Development Worker
- Dilek Kanli
- Dr Shumaila Panhwar
- Nahida Haoui
- Ayman Saleh Moussa, Student at UNSW
- Amani Haoui, Speech Pathologist
- Alif Darwis
- Amina Ahmed, Forensic Psychologist
- Aya Sukkarieh, Social Worker
- Afifa Najmi
- Merve Sevgi
- Tanvir Chowdhury, Senior Manager, Deloitte Australia
- Sultan Shafi
- Noura Hijasi, Student
- Rasheed Khan, Dean Fig Tree Hall, UNSW Sydney
- Zumrut Ozyurek
- Manaya Chaouk
- Nazia Tarafdar
- Shameema Kolia
- Zuwairah Baba
- Hussein Zahr
- Ebru Yagci
- Nawal Ali
- Nisho Sadeque, Accountant
- Rehan Altaf, Project Manager
- Tony Zoobi, Director
- Ahmed Azhar, Student
- Dr Elia Mohamed, General Practitioner
- Fatimah Sheikh Fuad
- Ibrahim Annous, Senior Accountant
- Nasser Mashni
- Taariq Esat, Lawyer
- Shazia S. Choudhry, Policy Advisor
- Iftikhar Ahmad
- Ali Kadhim, Filmmaker and Physical Movement Coach
- Munazza Khan
- Gayatri Nair, Human Rights Advocate
- Syeda Khadijah Ahmed, Trainee Surgeon
- Palwasha Kashif
- Shafaat Rahman, Engineer
- Kehkashan Tabassum
- Yahya Ali Ahmed
- Uzma Ibrahim
- M. Asif
- Juita Ramli
- Monema Yawar
- Abeer Naeem
- Osman Sarwari
- Dr Ibrahim Al-Salti, Dentist
- Mohammad Qashlan, Designer
- Sawsan shiyab
- Tahira Sabeen, Social Worker
- Abdul Abdullah, Artist
- Sarah Mahri, Community worker
- Mr Raed Malas
- Stella Alexopoulos, Secondary teacher
- MariamVeiszadeh, President of Islamophobia Register