Anti-Islamic campaign targets church over refugee initiative

A NORTHERN beaches church involved in the resettlement of Syrian refugees has been targeted by an anti-Islamic campaign.

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A  BELROSE church involved in the resettlement of Syrian refugees on the northern beaches has been targeted by an anti-Islamic campaign.

The controversial political organisation Party for Freedom posted the offensive signs on power poles outside St Stephen’s last week.

The propaganda referred to the resettlement as “dumping of hundreds of Islamic refugees onto the beautiful harmonious Northern Beaches of Sydney”.

It also called on locals to protest to Premier Mike Baird as well as St Stephen’s Anglican minister Michael Aitken. The posters have since been removed.

St Stephen’s Belrose is one of 30 churches on the northern beaches working with the Settlement Services International (SSI) on a refugee support initiative.

Australia has offered to take 12,000 Syrian refugees.

The offensive signs were posted outside St Stephen’s last week.

Those wanting to help are being asked to offer low-cost self-contained accommodation for at least three months, help refugees find paid employment or help them become familiar with the Australian way of life. Party for Freedom chairman Nick Folkes denied the posters were offensive.

“We don’t want Muslim refugees settling here – there’s no benefit to bringing people in,” he said.

“There’s also no guarantee these people aren’t going to turn to terrorism or anti-social behaviour.”

The poster asked people to protest to Premier Mike Baird. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Mr Aitken said the church would continue to offer help. “Many of the refugees are Christians seeking safety,” he said. “But we welcome Muslims too as Jesus taught us to love our neighbour.

“If, despite all the government stringent screening, an extremist does come, the best remedy is to welcome them into an Australian home and to love them.”

Northern Beaches Local Area Commander Supt Dave Darcy said while the recent incident was not illegal, it contradicted what the peninsula was all about.

“Generosity and spirit is what defines us on the northern beaches,” he said.

The northern beaches-specific initiative began in November last year.

A total of 7000 refugees will be settled in NSW.