Australian PM Condemns Assault on Muslim Women Amid Community Concerns

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned a “reprehensible” attack on two Muslim women at a Melbourne shopping center, which occurred on February 13, Arab News reported. The incident has sparked outrage within the Islamic community, led by Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, who criticized the government’s insufficient response to threats against Muslims.

In a press conference, Albanese rejected claims that Islamophobia is treated less seriously than anti-Semitism, stating, “I take all attacks on people on the basis of their faith seriously, and they should all face the full force of the law.” His comments come amid heightened scrutiny of the government’s response to hate crimes, particularly after a series of anti-Semitic incidents in recent months.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils expressed alarm over a rising trend of attacks against Muslims, with president Rateb Jneid emphasizing that the response to such incidents has been “grossly insufficient.” Aftab Malik, the country’s anti-Islamophobia envoy, called for stronger condemnation of hate crimes and measures to ensure the safety of Muslim Australians.

Victoria Police confirmed that a female suspect is set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court regarding the alleged assault, which left the two victims—a 30-year-old and a 26-year-old—with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident has reignited discussions about the need for comprehensive action against all forms of hate.