Australian Foreign Minister Calls on World to Unite Against Islamophobia

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during a speech at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, Friday (22/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-UN Photo)

JAKARTA - Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday called on the world to "unite against Islamophobia".

The statement came after two mosques in Adelaide, South Australia were attacked by arson last week, a development he said left him 'shocked'

"All of us, including political leaders, must unite against Islamophobia," Wong wrote to X.

"We all have an obligation to stop discrimination, hate speech and prejudice wherever we see it," he continued, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, October 24.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government "supports Australian Palestinians, Muslims and other communities affected by the conflict as well as the Executive Council of Australian Jews," he added.

Ahmad Zreika, chairman of the Islamic Society of South Australia, said local residents had witnessed acts of hate crimes since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this month.

"There is no doubt that what is happening in Gaza and Israel, and the support of Western media and politicians for Israel, has fueled this mindset among certain groups, causing fear of Islam and Muslims to increase," Zreika told 7News.

"We want the government to pay attention to their language and make sure it is balanced because bias against Israel will fuel hatred among people who don't know any better," he added.

Gaza has been under relentless Israeli bombardment and blockade since October 7, when Hamas launched an all-round offensive into southern Israel.

The death toll of Palestinians due to ongoing Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip has risen to 5,087, while more than 1,400 Israelis have died in Hamas attacks.