Australia’s PM denies double standard after alleged attacks on Muslim women | Islamophobia News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanian says any attack on a person on the basis of their faith is ‘reprehensible’.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanian has rejected suggestions that his government has been too slow to denound Islamophobia following the alleged assault of two muslim women at a shopping center in Melbourne.

Speaking to Reporters on Wednesday, Albanian said any attack on a person on the basis of their religion was “reprehensible”.

“I take all attacks on people on the basis of their faith seriously, and they should all face the full force of the law,” he said.

“We’ve appointed a special envoy on Islamophobia. That’s an important step forward. And I’m someone who celebrates our diversity and who respects people, regardless of their faith. ”

Albanian made the comments after some Muslim Australians, including International Cricket Player Usman Khawaja, accused the government of not doing enough to combat Islamophobia.

On Tuesday, Khawaja, who was the first muslim to play test cricket for Australia, said the alleged attacks would go unmentioned by Albanian and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and be “swept under the back like all attacks against the Islamic community”.

Khawaja on Wednesday said he appreciated Albanian and Dutton, who this week Branded the alleged assaults a “disgrace,” for “speaking up”.

One of the alleged victims, ealaf al-esawie, told local media that the attacker hit her on the face and Chest before shoving her to the floor.

“I feel terrified, traumatised and still can not believe what happened to me,” Al-Assawi was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press news agency.

“The scene won not come out of my head. It keeps repeating itself in my mind – how I got attacked.

“I’m not a homebody, but since Thursday, I’ve been stuck in front of the four walls, and every crack I hear from the house, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, there’s someone coming’.”

Police in Melbourne said on Wednesday they had arrested a 31-year-old woman and charged her with assault over the sisterspected Islamophobic attacks on February 13.

“Police will allow the victims were targeted due to wearing head coverings,” a Victoria Police Spokesperson said in a statement.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behavior and such activity will not be tolerated,” the statement said.

Advocacy groups have reported a sharp rise in Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents in Australia since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a multipronged attack on Israel, subSequently leading to its war in Gaza.