Appalling as it is, "Anti-Muslim violence in Parramatta", certain politicians need to take some responsibility for stigmatising and stereotyping a minority, in this case Muslims, for political advantage. Pauline Hanson has made a comfortable living from minority bashing, Asians in the past, Muslims at the present moment. The hard right faction of the Liberal Party has engaged in a high degree of negative political exploration and scapegoating of Muslims for political gain. This politicising is extremely dangerous as it encourages some on the fringe to feel it is a legitimate right to physically and verbally attack Muslims, and at the same time encouraging ambivalence amongst the more moderate section of society.
A typical comment from a radical poster; The 'deranged nutter' defence is accepted when Muslims shouting about Allah attack non-Muslims - so why shouldn't it be accepted when it's the other way around?" This is then accepted by moderates as a legitimate attitude, when it is clearly not. Another comment which legitimised such attacks; "The women must obviously have been dressed in Muslim garb otherwise no-one would know who/what they are & could not be targeted for being Muslim." And to extrapolate from that comment you get; "Dressed in Muslim garb and thus advertizing that they believe in the Qur'an and all that that belief entails." Classic ways to develop a general attitude of community hatred towards Muslims.

Well I am not sure the criminal [long record of offences] with an existing mental health issues acted in an anti Muslim way
Was his second charge, related to a similar assault days before a Muslim victim?
And how many sufferers of mental health issues are walking our streets due to massive cuts in health care for such as them

Paul1405,
You either deliberately or ignorantly fail to draw attention to the fact that being Anti Muslim is a direct result to the incessant actions & rhetoric by Anti-West Muslims over centuries !
Get some some perspective into your arguments because the whole sad mess is the result of the one-way street variety !

"Dressed in Muslim garb and thus advertizing that they believe in the Qur'an and all that that belief entails."

Is that statement not true?

Does such dress send a message that they do not believe in the Prophet and that the Qu'ran is not the word of God and is not to be obeyed?

What we have here is supposed collective guilt by association. "incessant actions & rhetoric by Anti-West Muslims over centuries !" Should there be a couple of nuns dressed in their habits enjoying a peaceful coffee in Parramatta, Would it be justified to give the old girls a beating, based on the actions and rhetoric of the Catholic Church over the centuries, tell that one to the judge.

Issy, do ALL Christians believe every world in the Bible. You claimed to have a good Muslim friend, does he believe every word in the Quran, and since some claim it contains demands to "kill the infidels", why are you still living? 80% of Muslims in Australia say they have been racially abused at some time. Sikhs are abused for their Muslim religious affiliations!

A couple of years back my wife was abused on a Sydney train by a mentally disturbed girl. She lashed out with Muslim abuse and told the wife to get back to "Arabland", wherever that is. The likes of you pair would justify that behaviour based on the guilt of the religion. The fact the wife is a Maori and attends the Anglican Church did not come into it.

Paul ease up old mate!
Smug uninformed anti Muslim racism seems near a requirement for some here
Suspect the offender did not even know her sex
But it did open the door for troubling views