The Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja struck media organizations for a double standard on social networks after two Muslim women wearing hijabs were attacked in a shopping center in North Melbourne last Thursday.
Victoria police said that a 30 -year -old woman and a 26 -year -old woman have been attacked by the same person in the Pacific Epping shopping center in two separate incidents. Police surveys are underway.
“There is absolutely no place in our society of discriminatory, racist or hateful behavior and such an activity will not be tolerated,” said a police spokesperson.
“Investigators believe that the victims have been targeted due to women who bear head covers and treat incidents as attacks motivated by prejudices,” the statement added.
No accusation was made by the police for the alleged incident. Investigators analyze video surveillance as they seek to identify the woman who would have left the scene with a man, after the alleged attacks.
Ms. Al-Esawie, 26, would have been confronted with an attacker and was “ absolutely struck down ” while she was making her way in the shopping center during her lunch break, according to Action Against Islamaphobia Case Manager, Mariam Ardati.
Usman Khawaja criticized media organizations following an alleged attack on two Muslim women in Melbourne
Khawaja said that “the media had never dealt with attacks against the Islamic community or any other community such as anti -Semitic attacks”
The alleged incident would have taken place at the Pacific Epping shopping center last week
The organization says that Al-Esawie would have been “struck, slapped and pushed to the ground”. She ended up with bruises over her whole body and a potential back injury.
Ardati also alleges that the police did not give him an incident or follow -up number of the victim following the attack. She says the victim had not heard of the police on Saturday.
It is understood that Victorian police asked Ms. Al-Esawie to make a person in person on Tuesday afternoon.
Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said that “bad attacks on two young Muslim women are simply horrible”.
“This kind of evil, evil and diabolical hatred – in this case, Islamophobia – has absolutely no place in our community.”
Noting the report, which was published Tuesday morning, Khawaja went to Facebook and X to criticize the media, hitting media organizations for their report on the issue.
“The media have never dealt with attacks against the Islamic community or any other community such as anti -Semitic attacks. They are all deplorable ”, he wrote on Facebook.
“But there is no way that anti -Semitism is less or more than Islamaphobia and vice versa,” continued the 38 -year -old.
“They both deserve the same weight as they are both relevant. But the media will never treat them in the same way.
Khawaja also published several articles on X where he noted that there had been a 500% increase in the number of Islamophobic incidents reported
Jacinta Allan castigated the attacks on the two women as “bad” saying that she has “no place in our community”
“And therefore people will always think that one is more widespread than the other. But that is not true.
The Australian test opener noted reports that had emerged online detailing the incident and written on X: “Last Thursday, it happened.
“Absolutely excruciating. No one mentioned it or talked about it.
“He will be swept under the carpet like all attacks against the Islamic community. The Prime Minister and certainly not the head of the opposition will mention it. It’s incredible to see how the world is the side of the world.
He followed this with several other articles on X, writing: “Give things up. What the nurses said were also excruciating. But look at the media coverage that obtained. Then a real attack occurs. And nothing. It happened four days ago.
The action against Islamophobia is an initiative led by the community which offers members of the Muslim community support to take measures against Islamophobic incidents. They help those who have been subject to prejudices to seek justice and seek to raise awareness that discrimination may have.
It is understood that Dedati came across the story of Al-Esawie on social networks. She had attempted to inform and warn the other members of her community of her alleged striker, but would have been threatened online.
“She went home and she didn’t feel safe to leave her house alone. She made the post in good faith, ”said Ardati.
She added: “The members of the Muslim community are shocked but not surprised by the attacks.
“For several months, Islamophobic incidents and hate crimes against Muslims have been increasing, but few things have been made to remedy it and most have received no media attention.
“More real measures must be taken before someone is killed, or we see another massacre of Christchurch at our door.”
According to the register of Islamophobia in Australia, an increase of 510% of Islamophobic incidents has been reported since the War of Israel-Gaza.
Khawaja noted the statistics, writing on X: “More than 500% in reported Islamophobic incidents. Where is justice? It is not only anti -Semitic attacks that are increasing.
“Rather than having an exclusive anti-Semitic summit, what would you like to stop choosing sides and including Islamophobia in the register and giving it the weight it deserves.”
Federal deputy Julian Hill noted the increase in Islamophobic incidents, writing on X: “ Muslim Australians have the right to feel safe and included while going to their occupations in the community. Anyone who experiences Islamophobic or racist incidents should not remain silent but report and ask for help.
