A 50-year-old man is scheduled to appear in court following an alleged verbal assault on a 13-year-old Muslim girl aboard a bus in Sydney’s inner west. The incident, which occurred on September 10, involved the man reportedly directing a torrent of abusive language at the Year 8 student, identified as Janna. The alleged tirade included derogatory terms and accusations of terrorism.

Alleged Bus Incident and Police Action

Footage captured on the bus shows the man turning towards Janna and uttering a series of insults. Reports indicate the abuse escalated to include terms such as “f…ing terrorist” and “immigrant dog.” The disturbing exchange was later shared online, drawing widespread condemnation. Following the incident, both Janna and other passengers reported the man’s behaviour to the police after the bus arrived at Strathfield Railway Station.

Authorities apprehended a 50-year-old man on Tuesday at a residence in Greenacre, a suburb near Strathfield. He has been charged with stalking and intimidation with the intent to cause fear or physical harm. The man was denied bail and is expected to face Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday.

Details of the Abuse and Janna’s Experience

The video evidence reportedly contains further explicit slurs directed at Janna, including “c..k sucking f…ing animal” and “piece of s..t.” Despite Janna informing the man that she was born in Australia and highlighting her young age, the alleged abuse continued unabated. Janna and her mother described the experience as “really disgusting” in statements made to the ABC.

According to reports, the offensive behaviour began after Janna intervened on behalf of another young girl wearing a hijab. This girl was allegedly being photographed by the same man without her consent. A separate video recording from the incident reportedly captured the man making a threat, stating he “couldn’t wait ‘til they kill all of you.”

Community and Political Reactions

The alleged incident has prompted strong reactions from community leaders and political figures. Jason Yat-sen Li, the State Labor MP for Strathfield, expressed his dismay, stating he was “horrified and deeply angry” by the event. He commended Janna for her courage in speaking out, noting that she was subjected to “a vile tirade of racist and Islamophobic abuse.” Li emphasized that Strathfield would not tolerate such behaviour, particularly when directed at children.

Aftab Malik, an Islamophobia Envoy, commented on the escalating trend of perpetrators targeting younger individuals, citing data from the Islamophobia Register Australia. Premier Chris Minns also addressed the situation, affirming that Muslim women and girls have an unequivocal right to wear religious attire, use public transport, and attend school without facing harassment or abuse.

Support Services

For young people experiencing distress or seeking support, several resources are available. Beyondblue can be contacted on 1300 22 4636, and further information can be found at headspace.org.au.