Community leaders are condemning vandalism at an Islamic cemetery, saying attacks on multiple graves showed Australia is experiencing social warfare.
NSW Police confirmed officers were investigating reports multiple headstones were damaged at the Australian Islamic Cemetery in Narellan, southwest of Sydney.
Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir said the community was shocked and appalled by the incident, especially as Islamophobia rises.
"It's one thing having a go at the Muslim community, who can at least defend themselves vocally," he told AAP.
"What depravity have we reached where we find some sort of solace and vindication (in attacking) grave sites.
"Even those who are totally defenceless, who should be left to rest in peace, are not being left alone."
He said the association had reached out to the impacted families and was working on repairs.
In 2025, pig heads and pork meat were thrown into the cemetery.
Eating pork is strictly prohibited in Islam.
Attacks are fuelled by Islamophobic rhetoric from the likes of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, Kheir said.
In a widely-condemned rant in February, the Queensland senator claimed there were "no good Muslims".
In the interview with Sky News, now News24, she also suggested future generations would suffer if more Muslim people were allowed into Australia.
She later walked back the remarks, but Kheir said such rhetoric was leading to "social warfare" between different communities in Australia.
"If we lose that moral compass ... we're heading down this very slippery slope towards a social pandemic," he said.
The vandalism has also been condemned by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.
President Rateb Jneid said it was a reminder of the importance of strengthening social cohesion.
"We must stand together against hatred in all its forms and ensure that every Australian can bury their loved ones and practise their faith with dignity, safety and without fear," he said.
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