Attacks increase against Australia’s Muslims

Sydney – Two hostages and an armed man were killed during a siege at a cafe in Sydney, Australia last year. In the wake of that attack and others like it elsewhere – including most recently in Paris – Muslims in Australia say they are increasingly being viewed with suspicion.

Some say they are being abused by strangers on the streets. Others say a security crackdown by police and government authorities unfairly targets their community.

Duncan Lewis, chief of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), has said the backlash against Muslims is dangerous and a threat to national security.

He has asked politicians to tone down criticism of Islam.

A November survey by two universities and a research centre suggests that Muslims in Australia experience racism three times the national average.