Media release — 19 July 2007

MUSLIM BACKLASH MAY BREACH QUEENSLAND LAWS

Qeensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Susan Booth today supported comments by Brisbane Muslim leader Dr Mohamad Abdallah that Muslims are being targeted by the community.

Yesterday, Dr Abdallah said that since the arrest of Gold Coast Doctor Mohamed Haneef, local Muslims were meeting every night to discuss their situation and wondering who was going to be next.

Commissioner Booth said she has been told it is now a common occurrence for people, who are perceived to be Muslim, to be yelled at from cars and called terrorists by strangers.

'I am especially concerned that the victims of this abuse are reluctant to report it,' she said.

'The laws of Queensland are clear. Yelling abuse or suggesting that someone should "go back to where you came from" break our racial and religious discrimination and vilification laws.'

Ms Booth said it is time for Queenslanders to take a stand.

'We must ensure that our community is a safe place where everyone can go about their ordinary lives – shopping, travelling on a bus or train, or going to an event.'

'Every person in Queensland is protected by these laws and things need to change so that Muslim Queenslanders are not afraid just to be out and about,' Ms Booth said.

If anybody suffers abuse because of their race or religion, they should contact the ADCQ on 1300 130 670.

For further comment contact Susan Booth
telephone: 07) 3247 0901 or TTY 1300 130 680

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