From the OnePath Network Facebook group (link at end of post):
"NSW Premier Cancels Annual Iftar Following Deteriorating Relationship with the Muslim Community
NSW Premier Chris Minns has cancelled the state government’s annual Iftar dinner for the second time in three years, citing “consultation with Muslim community leaders,” amid escalating tensions between the Minns government and sections of the Muslim community. Several leaders say the cancellation reflects a deeper breakdown in trust. Lebanese Muslim Association Secretary Gamel Kheir described the move as “heartbreaking,” adding that under the current climate “no Islamic leaders would have attended anyway.” Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun went further, accusing the Premier of having a “fetish” for attacking Muslims. The cancellation of what has traditionally been a symbolic gesture of inclusion during Ramadan has been interpreted by critics as a sign that relations have deteriorated beyond ceremonial repair.
The strained relationship has been building for months, fuelled by the government’s handling of protests in Sydney, the fallout from Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia, and the Premier’s refusal to apologise after police forcibly removed Muslim men praying outside Town Hall during a peaceful protest. Community advocates also point to newly introduced hate speech laws, which they argue disproportionately impact Muslim and pro-Palestine voices under the guise of maintaining public order. While the Minns government maintains its approach is focused on safety and social cohesion, critics say the pattern of rhetoric and policy decisions has created an atmosphere of alienation. As Ramadan unfolds without the state’s official Iftar gathering, many see the cancellation not as a logistical decision, but as a symbol of a relationship that has become increasingly fractured."
(OnePath Network Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B3gYW2Tar/)
#NSW #NSWPol #Muslim #Ramadan #Iftar #Islamaphobia #ChrisMinns