The ugly face of Islamophobia has surfaced on the streets of Melbourne. Police have arrested three people after a prominent Muslim leader, Imam Ismet Purdic, was boxed in, run off the road, and punched in the face in what authorities are treating as a racially motivated attack.

The incident occurred on the South Gippsland Highway. Imam Purdic, 47, was driving with his wife when a black hatchback carrying three men began to harass them. Witnesses describe a terrifying ordeal where the attackers hurled objects and racial slurs before forcing the Imam's car into a service station.

"White Supremacist Rhetoric"

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) condemned the assault, stating the attackers used language consistent with "white supremacist ideology." The Imam was punched through his car window while his wife was threatened. "No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their faith," ANIC stated.

• The Arrests: Police arrested two men aged 23 and 22 from Cranbourne, and an 18-year-old woman. They face charges of assault, criminal damage, and dangerous driving. The swift arrests were aided by dashcam footage from passing motorists.
• A Rising Tide: The attack comes amidst a spike in hate crimes in Victoria. Community leaders blame "irresponsible media commentary" and political dog-whistling for emboldening extremists.

Trauma in the Suburbs

For the Bosnian Muslim community in Noble Park, where Purdic serves, the attack is a shock. The Imam is a respected interfaith advocate. "He preaches peace," said a congregant. "And they paid him back with violence."