"The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) said the alleged arson occurred amid an ongoing rise in anti-Muslim hate across Victoria and Australia, including a sharp rise in incidents of vandalism, threats and violence against Muslim individuals and places of worship in recent months."
"We believe it should be treated as a hate crime. This attack did not occur in a vacuum - anti-Muslim hatred is rising - and too many people now feel that such actions are becoming normalized."
A church in Kilmore, Victoria, was set ablaze in a suspicious fire while being converted into a mosque. Victoria police are investigating the incident, which caused significant damage but no injuries. The Islamic Council of Victoria reported a rise in anti-Muslim hate, including vandalism and violence against Muslims and their places of worship. The Kilmore Islamic and Community Centre's president expressed devastation over the fire, emphasizing the need to recognize the incident as a hate crime amid increasing Islamophobia in the region.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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