By Ruza Zivkusic
AUSTRALIAN Muslims have urged tolerance towards the Muslim community in Brimbank following last week’s counter-terror raids in Melbourne.
Some Muslims say they fear for their safety because they are being portrayed as terrorists by the media.
“It’s all we see on television – that Muslims are nothing but a threat, they’re terrorists, they’re suicide bombers,’” said Afshan Mantoo, president of the Western Islamic Girls’ and Women’s Group.
Despite the Australian community being supportive towards Muslims, more respect was needed to fight the image of all Muslims being terrorists, Ms Mantoo said.
She said ever since the 11 September attacks in the US, she has felt the Australian community’s fear of Muslims.
“They are scared of you because they think all Muslims are terrorists.
“There’s going to be a lot of problems in this country with the way we are going.
“We’re just creating more hatred.”
Iman, who requested her last name not be printed, lives in Sydenham and is studying at Victoria University.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Australia, said she was “frustrated” over last week’s incidents.
“It’s very hard to believe John Howard that he’s not aiming at the Muslim community because of everything else that is going on,” Iman said.
But she praised last week’s counter-terror raids, saying terrorists needed to be stopped.
“Our religion doesn’t say to do what they’re doing. The Muslim religion is all about peace, it’s about harmony, unity and bringing people together,” she said.
She said a lot of Muslims isolated themselves from the Australian community because they felt threatened and targeted.
“I know a lot of people who don’t want to go out shopping on a normal daily routine because of the fear of being abused. A lot of the mothers decide to stay at home,” Iman said.
Brimbank mayor Natalie Suleyman has cautioned residents to exercise restraint following the arrests.
“I would strongly urge any resident not to take their anger out on the Muslim community,” Cr Suleyman said.
Brimbank is Victoria’s most “multicultural city”, where tolerance and respect for every religion and race is the norm, she said.
She expressed shock at the news of the arrests and said it showed international events were affecting Australia.
“I have always had the belief you find with these arrests and so on, they are a radical group, which does not reflect the Muslim community at all.”
Cr Suleyman encouraged residents to use the phone hotline set up by the Federal Government to report suspicious incidents.
The council has adopted an emergency response plan in the event of a terrorist attack, she said. “I hope I don’t see anything of that nature but we are prepared,” Cr Suleyman said.
The 24-hour National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
