RNA - The humble morning tea saw two rooms of the community centre packed shoulder-to-shoulder with women, predominantly of Muslim faith, and their children, while more guests gathered outside to listen.
The atmosphere was one of unity as police, Moreland councillors and Greens Senator Janet Rice spoke to the gathering, with translators repeating their messages in Arabic and Urdu.
Ms Rice said she was overwhelmed with the number of women who attended the morning tea, having expected about a dozen people.
“We want you to feel not just tolerated, but celebrated in the Australian community,” she said, as the room filled with applause.
“Most people do welcome you, most people appreciate you being here as fellow Australians.
“The small number of people who are making threats and being racist, it’s important we do call them out and we do let them know that’s un-Australian.”
The event followed Moreland Leader’s report last week that Muslim women had been verbally abused at Fawkner’s Bonwick shopping precinct, and that others had their head scarfs ripped off at Campbellfield Plaza.
Brunswick police Acting Senior Sergeant Ben Davies encouraged any victims of abuse to come forward and report incidents to police.
“What concerns us is if there are people out there too afraid to report or think it won’t be looked at,” Acting Sen-Sgt Davies said.
“These are criminal offences and they do need to be looked at and taken seriously.”
Offenders could face harassment or assault charges and the prospect of a criminal record.
Moreland North East Ward councillor Sue Bolton said women should not be afraid to leave their houses, but should walk with each other to ensure support.
Cr Bolton encouraged the community to give Moreland Council ideas on how it could be supportive, and to report abuse to police and the Islamophobia register.
Fawkner’s Khadeejah Anderson she believed the Federal Government had triggered a lot of the abuse.
“The person on the street only does it from what’s communicated from above,” Mrs Anderson said.
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