'No-one sits next to me anymore': Australian Muslim women on how their lives have changed By Mohamed Taha and Philippa McDonald

Updated 2 Oct 2014, 9:20amThu 2 Oct 2014, 9:20am Related Story: Explained: Why Muslim women wear a burka, niqab or hijab Photo: Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner worries the burka debate could fuel more bigotry against Muslims (AFP) Map: Sydney 2000 Muslim Australians have reported an increase in discrimination and abuse in the wake of counter-terrorism raids in major Australian cities and the raising of the national terror alert to "high". Women who wear traditional Islamic headscarfs have been the targets of numerous hate attacks. Fears of Islamic extremism have led to debate about Islamic full-body veils, such as burkas, with Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi and Palmer United Senator Jacqui Lambie among those calling for bans, and new rules at Parliament House prohibiting the clothing from certain areas. The ABC spoke to five Muslim women on the streets of Sydney about what they choose to wear and their experiences in the current political and social climate. Manaya Chaouk, 27, social worker and mother, Guildford Manaya Chaouk Photo: Manaya Chaouk wears the hijab. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) "What happened to freedom of expression? Freedom of religion? We're already a target. Now the Prime Minister is helping the bigots and bogans take their anger out on us. He's trying to instil fear in people. People look [at] me the wrong way. They say silly things. I've heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stories. For any woman to be attacked, that's not right. There's still a lot of racism. Now the bigots have come out of hiding. I'm afraid now, I'm looking over my shoulder whenever I leave my local area. That's wrong. I shouldn't feel like that. No-one should feel like that." Randa Jada, 32, accountant and mother, Granville Randa Jada Photo: Randa Jada wears the hijab. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) "I was born here. Now that all this is happening, I've been getting a lot of dirty looks. I find it very concerning. They're ignorant. What's their reason to hate us? No-one sits next to me anymore, people move their kids away from my kids, people don't communicate as much. It's sad." Name withheld, 33, mother and former secretary, Auburn Unnamed woman wearing a niqab Photo: This Auburn resident wears the niqab. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) "I wear [the niqab] because I love it. I do this to please Allah [God]. It's my choice. I've been wearing it for one and a half years now. The Prime Minister has to be very careful what he says. It's very divisive. It's all fear-mongering. He's ruining any chance of bringing the Muslim community and wider community together. Why do we get prosecuted for wearing this? We're productive citizens of Australia. For any woman who is attacked, it's disgusting. Veil or no veil. Muslim or non-Muslim." Maryam Ali, 56, grandmother of eight, Berala Maryam Ali Photo: Maryam Ali wears the hijab. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) "Everybody has got a choice. It shouldn't be a problem what others choose to wear. I have been discriminated [against] because of my head covering. Australian culture is accepting. Let's respect that." Hayfa Bakour, 17, student, Greenacre Hayfa Bakour Photo: Hayfa Bakour wears the hijab. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) "[The reported targeting of Muslim women] is a bit scary. It actually makes me more scared to walk around. Nothing has happened to me directly. Now my mum always says make sure you're never alone, always leave the library with someone, with one of my girlfriends. When I was younger I thought I was lucky to live in Australia. But now hearing all these terrible stories of woman being abused is really confronting. Topics: islam, religion-and-beliefs, discrimination, terrorism, defence-and-national-security, federal-parliament, sydney-2000 First posted 2 Oct 2014, 8:16am