Hobsons Bay’s Muslim community leaders have spoken out against family violence.
Newport Mosque Imam Abdullah Al Hawari used last Thursday’s pre-Ramadan event at Newport to drive home the message that “Islam says no to violence against women”.
“We’re focusing on men and women because studies have taught us there’s a problem,” he said. “We have to work all together, as Australians, to keep our families on the right side to build a strong country.
“It’s not OK for a man to do what he wants and cause harm to those around him because he was angry, and this needs to be instilled into boys from a young age.”
Oussama Abou-Zeid, a former Hobsons Bay citizen of the year and Victorian youth premier, said there was a strong awareness about the issue among young Muslim men.
“With the Muslim faith, there’s no tolerance at all for domestic violence, especially against women and abuse against children,” he said. “The imam continuously reminds us we must respect women.
“We want to treat our wives the same way we want people to treat our sisters and our mothers and that’s the same respect we should show to other women; not just towards your spouse but to all women in the community.”
Senior Sergeant Brendan Gasan told the Australian Arabic Women’s Community Group, which organised the event, there was no need for women to be afraid to approach police.
“The message today for all women, not just Arabic women, is that there’s no need to be afraid to speak to the police,” he said.
“The only way we can help is if you report domestic violence to us.
“It’s most important that the message gets out there that there’s no need to be afraid.”
