Police are probing hate crime after offensive graffiti appeared in Chester Hill, prompting strong condemnation from local leaders.
Sydney: New South Wales police are looking into a hate crime after some nasty Islamophobic graffiti showed up on a busy underpass in Chester Hill. The premier, Chris Minns, didn’t hold back, calling it “disgusting.”
The graffiti was found on Hector Street overnight, and police quickly cordoned off the area to start their investigation. Phrases like “Fuck Islam” and “Cancel Islam” were spray-painted, with “Islam” highlighted in yellow.
Chester Hill has a significant Muslim community, with nearly 40% of residents identifying as Muslim. If they catch the person responsible, they’re likely to face hate crime charges.
This graffiti was right near a shopping area filled with halal restaurants and grocers, making it even more upsetting for the local community. Minns emphasized that this kind of vandalism is meant to stir up hatred and is completely unacceptable.
Federal Minister Tony Burke also condemned the act, calling it “hatred” and “bigotry.” He stressed that Islamophobia has no place in Australia.
Local MP Jason Clare described the vandalism as a “gutless attack” on the community, noting that people are already feeling hurt due to conflicts overseas. He firmly stated that there’s no room for Islamophobia in Australia.
The Australian National Imams Council is urging both federal and state governments to take immediate action against what they see as a rising tide of Islamophobic incidents. They’re calling for stronger anti-racism policies and for police to prioritize hate crime investigations.
According to the Islamophobia register, which tracks these incidents, there’s been a staggering 600% increase in reported cases over the past year. They’re receiving daily reports of various forms of abuse targeting Muslims.
Just last week, the register criticized a senator’s claim that Islamophobia was “fictitious,” highlighting the real and escalating threat it poses to the safety of Muslims.
In a related note, both the prime minister and Minns condemned anti-Israel graffiti in another part of Sydney, showing that hate in any form is being taken seriously.