The ICAN Sisters Wing NSW met with NSW Police and Hate Crimes Team representative, following the Bondi attack, on Wednesday 14 January 2026 concerned about the subsequent rise of Islamophobia and fears among Muslims regarding their safety.
The meeting began with a clear condemnation of the incident and focused on the rise in Islamophobia since then where many Muslim women, particularly those with children, shared that fear has increased and that they now feel unsafe leaving their homes.
One message stood out very clearly during the meeting that government decisions are driven by data and laws, funding, grants, and policy responses are shaped by what is officially reported.
Police explained that communities who consistently report incidents are far more visible at a government level where the Jewish community in Australia, for example, reports every hate incident, no matter how small.
This consistent reporting creates strong data, which leads to action, protection, and resources.
In contrast, we were told that Islamophobia has increased many times since the Bondi attack, yet Muslims are reporting only a small percentage of the incidents actually taking place.
This means the true scale of harm faced by Muslim communities is not fully reflected in official records.
The police strongly encouraged the delegation to report all incidents, even those that seem minor. Every report adds to the data, and data is what gives communities influence at policy and funding levels.
If Muslims report consistently, it creates a powerful collective advantage that can lead to stronger laws, better protection, and meaningful support.
A key takeaway was that safety is not only about being protected, but also about feeling safe. Reporting is not about complaining, it is about being counted, being visible, and ensuring our communities are taken seriously.
The message was clear, silence weakens while data strengthens a particular community. By reporting every incident and standing together, Muslim communities can turn fear into collective strength and real change.
Comments