The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) strongly condemns the hateful and cowardly Islamophobic and racist graffiti defacing the walls of the Australian Islamic College of Sydney (AICS) in Rooty Hill. This disgraceful act of hate is yet another disturbing reminder of the rising hostility faced by Australian Muslims, including children and families, in spaces that should be safe, welcoming, and free from intimidation.
On the morning of Friday, 2 May 2025, staff and students arrived to find deeply offensive graffiti sprayed across the school and mosque’s perimeter walls, featuring anti-migrant rhetoric and inflammatory references to international conflicts. The attack was clearly designed to intimidate and provoke fear, targeting both the school’s predominantly South-East Asian Muslim community and the broader Arab and Muslim community.
Importantly, the Rooty Hill Masjid operates on the same premises as AICS, meaning this act of vandalism directly targeted not only a school but a house of worship. This dual targeting makes the attack even more alarming, as it strikes at the heart of the community’s religious and educational life.
This is not merely vandalism — it is a hate crime. It reflects a dangerous trend of emboldened Islamophobia and racism that threatens the social cohesion and shared values of our multicultural nation. Such acts cause immense distress to young students, vilify entire communities, and undermine the inclusive principles Australia stands for.
We call on the New South Wales Police and relevant authorities to:
Immediately investigate this incident as a hate crime and publicly condemn it as such.
- Increase security and protective measures around Islamic schools and places of worship.
- Ensure those responsible are brought to justice under the full extent of the law.
- Additionally, we urge political leaders at all levels to move beyond statements of condemnation and implement meaningful measures to address the root causes of Islamophobia. Hate must not be tolerated — not in our schools, not in our streets, and not in our society.
ANIC stands in solidarity with the students, parents, and staff of AICS. No child should be made to feel unsafe on their way to school. No community should be left to endure hate in silence. We demand justice, accountability, and a renewed national commitment to combating Islamophobia in all its forms.
If you or someone you know has been affected by Islamophobic abuse or hate, please contact https://www.actionagainstislamophobia.org.au/ for confidential support and assistance.
