AMUST

Everyday social cohesion can be tested in moments like a racist bus incident, where lack of intervention raises the question of whether we would act as bystanders or upstanders Islamophobic incidents in Australia have surged, highlighting that Islamophobia cannot be treated as isolated individual behaviour Australia is responding with measures like the National Islamophobia Index and broader law, policing, education, and media/political accountability Governments can't legislate trust or...

Weeks after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour for saying "free Palestine" on stage, Macklemore is launching a tour of his own, and all three shows sold out the moment tickets went on sale. Meanwhile, Sheeran's shows at Robert Kraft's Gillette Stadium have been called off altogether. As AMUST reported last month, the rapper was removed from Sheeran's eight remaining US dates. Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, had rallied venue owners behind an ultimatum.

Australian women's chess champion Heather Richards refused to play Israel at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, as part of a sporting boycott. She withdrew after being paired against Israel in round 7, saying she would not play due to Israel's war and alleged genocide in Gaza. Richards argued Israel faces a double standard in chess, contrasting its participation with Russia's ban for its invasion of Ukraine.

Data centre and server spending hit $8.7 billion in Q1 2026, driving Australia's private investment growth to 6.5% and potentially reaching $150 billion in data-centre build-out by 2030. Direct data-centre ownership is largely restricted to major institutions and global operators due to huge capital needs, specialised construction, power connections, and technical operations, with reported yields around ~4% in some markets.

The Fiji Muslim League marked its 100th anniversary in August 2026 as a milestone of Muslim faith, education, service and nation-building. Founded in 1926, the FML grew into Fiji's national representative body with schools, colleges, mosques, madrassahs, welfare and community institutions. Centenary events (22-30 August 2026) united Fiji and overseas leaders, including participation from Australia's AFIC and RISEAP, with commemorative recognition of their ongoing cooperation.

Joumana Menzalji, founder of Sydney Community Connect, was named 2026 Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year. She has provided 30 years of support for newly arrived migrants, the elderly, and multicultural communities. The 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards were held at Club Burwood and celebrate volunteering across NSW in their 20th year.

Claims Israel did not exist before 1947, when the UN enabled Zionists to establish a state on land of Palestinians, Christians, and Muslims Describes 1947-1948 Nakba-era expulsions and killings as creating Palestinian refugees under US and UK-backed occupation Argues Israel expanded its territory through wars, occupying increasing portions of Palestine and driving out Arab residents and creating new waves of refugees Accuses Israel of systematic land grabbing and persecution aimed at annexing...

Australia should prioritise its own region's needs over participating in American-led wars. AUKUS submarine spending is rising sharply, with costs estimated up to $368 billion over decades and deliveries not until the early 2040s. Australia has already paid large human and financial costs for distant conflicts like Afghanistan, with limited direct benefit to Australian interests.

Imran Pratapgarhi headlined Sydney's Rang-e-Sukhan 2026 at Parramatta Town Hall on 26 September, featuring Urdu poetry and social reflections. The sold-out, multicultural event brought together South Asian communities and international/local literary voices, promoting poetry and literature as connectors. Pratapgarhi was highlighted for his mushaira roots and his poetry on marginalised communities, pluralism, communal harmony, injustice and resistance, alongside works like Madrasa and Lal Qila.

AIMA will launch Mindsavers, a free interactive mental health workshop for Muslim communities across Australia during Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day in October 2026. The mosque-based program is rooted in Islamic faith and delivered by AIMA healthcare professionals at mosques nationwide. It was developed to address barriers like stigma, limited culturally aligned care, and the absence of faith-based coping approaches in mainstream services.