Tuesday, 18 February 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:25): On Saturday it was my great pleasure to participate in Victoria’s open mosque day. Open mosque day is a symbolic day where Victorian Muslim communities generously open their doors to every Victorian to share their religion, learn about their culture and celebrate the diversity that makes Victoria so great. ‘Open mosque day’ is a little bit of a misnomer, because as any Muslim will tell you, mosques are open to anybody in the community 365 days of the year. I am very proud that the Allan Labor government continues to support multifaith events such as this. We have provided $400,000 in funding to support this event over four years. It is more important than ever to show our support to our faith communities in Victoria. Just yesterday I spoke with the Board of Imams Victoria about a disturbing attack on two Muslim women in Epping. Let me be very clear: I condemn this in the strongest possible way. It should be said that Muslim women should not have to fear for their safety when going about their daily lives – at the shops, walking down the street or working their jobs. Racism and Islamophobia have no place in our society. It is why our anti-vilification and social cohesion laws are so important, and it is why we will always stand against hatred right across the Victorian community.