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Hyderabad: January 1, Posted at 4:27 AM IST
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) has raised serious concerns over a sharp rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate incidents following the Bondi attack. The council says Muslim Australians are facing backlash despite having no link to the incident.
The Australian National Imams Council has warned of growing hostility towards Muslim communities in the days following the Bondi attack, describing the situation as deeply alarming and dangerous. In a statement released this week, ANIC said Muslim Australians are being unfairly scrutinised and implicitly associated with violence they strongly condemn.
According to the council, Muslim communities across Australia have experienced an escalation in verbal abuse, vandalism, intimidation and online hate. These incidents have reportedly occurred despite the fact that the attackers involved in the Bondi incident acted alone and had no connection to Islam or Muslim organisations.
ANIC highlighted several disturbing cases, including hateful graffiti sprayed at the Islamic College of Melbourne and the desecration of graves at a Muslim cemetery in Narellan, New South Wales, where dismembered pigs were thrown onto burial sites. In Perth, visibly Muslim women have reportedly been spat at, abused and threatened in public spaces.
The council said at least nine mosques and Islamic centres have reported vandalism or serious security threats, forcing police intervention. As a result, many places of worship, schools and community facilities are now operating under heightened security and fear.
ANIC also warned that many worshippers are experiencing ongoing anxiety, including fears of a Christchurch-style attack, due to explicit threats of violence and rising Islamophobia. Its Action Against Islamophobia initiative recorded nearly a 200 per cent increase in reported hate incidents since the Bondi attack.
The council further criticised divisive political rhetoric and irresponsible media commentary, stating that such narratives stigmatise Muslim communities and reinforce harmful stereotypes. ANIC emphasised that selective condemnation of racism only deepens social divisions and undermines trust.
Calling for unity, the council said Australia’s safety and social cohesion depend on rejecting all forms of racism and ensuring dignity, justice and security for all citizens, regardless of faith or background.
Meanwhile, Australian authorities have repeatedly stated that acts of violence should not be linked to any faith or community and have urged the public to avoid blame and misinformation.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
