The Wire

Muslim leaders in both Sydney and Melbourne have held press conferences to denounce the violent elements of the weekend’s protest in Sydney. In the midst of what has become a highly charged discussion about the protest, some observers see reasons for optimism. Positive voices point to the way the muslim community has united to amplify its concerns in the wake of the protests.

But muslim leaders say that they do fear an ongoing backlash over the actions of a tiny number of people claiming to be followers of islam.