Voices against Bigotry is a new group co-founded by a Newlands resident to tackle the rising climate of Islamophobia in Australia. Despite making huge contributions to civic life, many Muslims are feeling marginalised as some politicians use distrust of Muslims for political purposes, and others fail to challenge this. Many Muslim women are now restricting their movements for fear of being physically attacked. Our website details instances where Muslims have been abused when simply going about their daily lives; threatening notes mailed to elderly people with Muslim surnames; verbal abuse on public transport, in people's workplace and in the supermarket.
There are dozens of extreme groups organising against Muslims and giving courage to the bigots carrying out these attacks, and with a new anti-Muslim political party launching in October, things seem set to worsen. Our website provides a space for Australians from all cultural and religious backgrounds to stand against this.
Please go to www.voicesagainstbigotry.org, endorse the statement below, and encourage as many others as possible to do the same:
Voices against Bigotry condemns the vilification of Muslims. Australian society has greatly benefitted from a diversity of cultures and religions. We oppose bigotry directed against one part of our community for political ends.
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