Monday, 16 December 2024 (IST News ):
The following is a statement from the NSW Faith Affairs Council:
“The NSW Faith Affairs Council unequivocally condemns the abhorrent anti-Islam graffiti in
Chester Hill.
“Recent Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents are examples of an increase in aggressive anti-
religious behaviour within our community.
“These actions have no place in religion. They have no place in our society.
“We echo the call of the NSW Government and urge NSW to continue to reject the importation of
overseas conflict into our multicultural and multifaith society.
“The NSW Faith Affairs Council will continue to work with the NSW Government to improve the
safety and security of faith communities and their places of worship.”
No place for Racism in society: An earlier statement from the office of NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said, “Racism and Islamophobia have no place in our society.
“We must continue to reject the importation of overseas conflict into our multicultural and multifaith
society.
“We will continue to take the necessary steps to protect our multicultural communities and promote
harmony.”
Mostafa Rachwani, Community affairs reporter of The Guardian Australia adds: New South Wales police are investigating a potential hate crime after Islamophobic graffiti was painted on a busy underpass in Sydney’s west, with the premier labelling it “disgusting”.
The graffiti was spotted on Hector Street in Chester Hill overnight. Police cordoned off the road and launched an investigation on Sunday morning.
“Fuck Islam” was graffitied on each side of the underpass, with the word “Islam” highlighted in yellow. “Cancel Islam” was also painted on to an ad in the underpass.
NSW police said if someone was arrested they would “likely” be charged with a hate crime. Chester Hill has one of the largest Muslim populations in the state, with nearly 40% of residents identifying as Muslim, according to census figures.
