25 hurt in race-fuelled attacks

Calm before the storm ... mounted police keep watch at Cronulla Beach on Saturday after an SMS urging attacks against Middle Eastern beachgoers circulated during the week. Picture: Jeremy Piper / News Limited newspapers
Islamic group says riots are un-Australian
December 12, 2005

THE Forum on Australia's Islamic Relations (FAIR) has condemned race fuelled violence in Sydney as un-Australian.

Kuranda Seyit, director of the Islamic community group, said today he was disgusted by attacks on people of Middle Eastern appearance by crowds of drunken yobs in Cronulla, in Sydney's south, yesterday.

A series of apparent revenge attacks - including two stabbings - happened in Maroubra and Brighton-le-Sands overnight.

The crowds at Cronulla were mobilised by text messages circulated throughout the community calling for revenge on "lebs and wogs" following an attack on two lifeguards last week.

"The Cronulla police must send a loud and clear message to others who are potentially considering vigilante action against fellow Australians," Mr Seyit said.

"Australia is pluralist society, with many faiths and traditions all ravelled into one.

"This is the unique success of this nation and we cannot let it fall into chaos and lawlessness."
Mr Seyit said violence for any reason was not acceptable.

"I realise that the initial behaviour by the thugs who beat the lifeguard was unacceptable but to take it out on anyone who the mob think are not one of them, is not the solution," Mr Seyit said.

"Obviously the underlying racism and intolerance in the shire is now bubbling to the surface.

"We have over ... 3000km of beaches on the east coast, there's plenty of sand and ocean there for everyone.

"What happened to the Australian idea of a fair go and tolerance?"

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