Ballarat's Islamophobic Attacks: A Growing Concern

0:00In Sydney, it's March 19th, and here's what is going on. Ballarat, a city in Victoria, Australia, has now seen two alleged Islamophobic attacks within one week. In the latest, a regular customer at a local pharmacy unleashed a tirade of racial abuse at female Muslim staff yelling for them to go back where. They came from, and cursing Islam. Just days earlier, on March 8th, a man burst into a Muslim community iftar dinner, screaming death threats at guests and children before physically, assaulting some attendees. The pharmacy staff described deep distress from the outburst, which shattered their sense of safety at work. The owner, stunned after years of serving the man, called it unwarranted, and noted a growing trend of verbal hatred toward visibly Muslim or brown. People in the area. Police are still investigating both cases without filing charges. In the dinner incident, officers arrested the suspect on site, interviewed him outside, and released him, even taking him home to deescalate.

1:03On March 18th, police met with Ballarat's Muslim community to discuss safety fears. A recent university report highlights more than double the verified anti-Muslim incidents last year compared to before, including assaults, arson, and severe threats. The Daily News Now is grateful to our sponsor for today's episode. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow. Built for comfort and calm. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com