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Muslim Leader Samier Dandan Calls Out The Rise Of The Far Right

Samier Dandan isn't happy, and either is Mike Baird.
Hanson was described as
Fairfax Media
Hanson was described as

A senior NSW Muslim leader has marked the end of Ramadan by calling out the rise of far right political parties in Australia.

President of the Lebanese Muslim Association Samier Dandan warned crowds at Lakemba Mosque on Wednesday of rising Islamophobic discourse, as well as "divisive and toxic" policy decisions, encouraging negative sentiments towards Muslim Australians.

"Their increasing influence is reflection of the critical mass of support public Islamophobia is currently enjoying," he said outside the Lakemba Mosque on Wednesday.

"It cannot be emphasised enough just how disappointing it is to see individuals who preach hate and bigotry gaining power in our elections.

"The past couple of months and even these past couple of days much like most of the past decade have been difficult and critical for the Australian Muslim community."

The day before the LMA said the One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson's "ongoing vitriol against Muslims and minorities amounts to hate speech, and her actions and policy decisions mark her as a hate preacher".

The Incoming Queensland Senator has called for a royal commission into Islam, no new mosques and CCTV cameras in the ones we have. She also thinks parts of Sydney have been "swamped with Asians".

Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane on Tuesday warned Hanson's anti-Muslim and Asian comments could unleash hatred, divisions and violence.

NSW Premier Mike Baird backed Dandan's call, adding the community must do more to promote peace.

"We must stand up where we see intolerance we must respond with tolerance," he said.

"We must call it as it is. But at the same time we must remember that the strongest way we can combat that is by coming together."

On Tuesday Islamic Council of Queensland spokesman Ali Kadri said he viewed Ms Hanson's rhetoric as hateful.

"Pauline is a danger to our country, with her rhetoric and her divisive views ... and it's not just about Muslims," Mr Kadri told the ABC.

"I mean, 20 years ago it was Asians who were going to swamp us and now it's about Muslims and it will be about everybody else who doesn't look like Pauline."

Former foreign minister Bob Carr on Wednesday called Hanson "mischievous troublemaker and racist" who risks damaging Australia's reputation overseas.

Hanson on Wednesday released a video in which she accused the media of biased reporting, and threatened to go around news organisations by using an app.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Lakemba Mosque attracts about 40,000 worshippers for Eid celebrations each year, and the place of worship was filled almost to capacity by 6am.

Last week a car was set ablaze in a suspected petrol bombing attack at a Perth mosque, where offensive graffiti was scrawled on a wall as worshippers prayed inside.

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