The National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) strongly condemns the rising tide of Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian incidents across Australia. These crimes, which have been mishandled by authorities, not only jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of Australian Muslims but also threaten the social harmony of the nation. NCAM is calling for urgent action from law enforcement, political leaders, and the media to address this surge in hate and ensure justice for all impacted communities.

One of the most disturbing recent events occurred in Bankstown, where a woman was charged with intimidation after assaulting a Muslim woman for wearing a pro-Palestine shirt. More alarmingly, the same perpetrator later attempted to run over Shaykh Wesam Charkawi, a respected imam and community leader, outside Granville Boys High School. The attack, which took place during peak student crossing hours, endangered the lives of hundreds of students, families, and community members, revealing the extreme violence directed at a leader based on his faith and activism.

Shaykh Wesam Charkawi, a prominent figure in the Muslim community and a leader of the Muslim Vote Campaign. The attack against him appears to be politically motivated, driven by the perpetrator’s Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian beliefs. NCAM views this as an act of terror and insists that it should be treated with the same gravity by law enforcement as any other act of terrorism. Despite the seriousness of the attack, the perpetrator has only been charged with basic assault and intimidation, which NCAM believes is insufficient. NCAM is demanding that authorities conduct a thorough investigation and impose more serious charges in line with the gravity of the crime.

NCAM Director Sajida Salman stated, “These deeply concerning incidents are not isolated. They represent a troubling pattern of targeted Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, and we demand immediate action to address this growing crisis.” NCAM urges political leaders to publicly condemn Islamophobic hate crimes, noting that their silence only emboldens perpetrators. The organization also calls on media outlets to responsibly cover these incidents, ensuring that hate crimes against marginalized communities are given the attention they deserve.

For media inquiries, please contact: media@ncam.au

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National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) acknowledges all First Peoples as the Traditional Custodians throughout the land across Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the historical and traditional connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to the land, water, culture and community. We appreciate the importance of the world’s oldest living culture, and support the union of a reconciled Australia. NCAM is committed to ensuring inclusion, equity and equality.