Islamophobia has surged since the Bondi attack. Australia’s Muslim community should not have to endure this abuse | Aftab Malik

No Muslim leader wants to diminish the suffering of the Jewish community or be seen as engaging in competitive victimhood. We must stand in solidarity with each other

W

hile many Australians remain in a state of anger, grief and reflection due to the devastating Bondi terror attack, Muslim community leaders are in a predicament. What is to be done about the ensuing rise of anti-Muslim sentiment, hatred and racism that their communities face?

Following the 14 December mass shooting, community registers that document Islamophobia have largely been reluctant to speak publicly about the spike in Islamophobia, out of concern of being perceived to trivialise the killing of Jewish Australians, their suffering, or vying for sympathy from the public.

Nevertheless, the registers have recorded a surge in reports of Islamophobia. These include individuals receiving abusive and threatening calls, a spate of mosques and Islamic centres across Australia reporting vandalism, a Muslim cemetery in New South Wales being desecrated, physical attacks and a wave of online hate. The Islamophobia Register Australia and Action Against Islamophobia have both recorded a spike in such incidents. The Islamophobia Register Australia, for example, has recorded a 740% increase in reports since the Bondi terror attack.