#illridewithyou: Twitter sprouts anti-Islamophobia campaign

ANTI-ISLAMIC sentiment has flooded social media in the wake of the Sydney siege, but there is a campaign gathering steam that will restore your faith in humanity.

ANTI-ISLAMIC sentiment has flooded social media in the wake of the Sydney siege, but there is a campaign gathering steam that will restore your faith in humanity.

A Twitter movement, #illridewithyou, has sprouted with everyday Australians offering to ride on buses and trains with Muslims, or give them a lift to work tomorrow, in order to keep them safe.

RELATED: Sydney siege live updates

RELATED: Sydney siege: What we know, what we don’t

The grassroots campaign began with this thoughtful tweet from @sirtessa:

If you reg take the #373 bus b/w Coogee/MartinPl, wear religious attire, & don’t feel safe alone: I’ll ride with you. @ me for schedule.

— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

She received such a strong response from the Twittersphere that she suggested the #illridewithyou hashtag. The idea quickly took off, with people throughout Australia pledging their support for Australia’s Muslim community.

I don't catch public transport anymore, but if you're catching it at night in #Brisbane, please @ me, i'll come tag along. #IllRideWithYou

— Sammii Lea (@CaptainSammii) December 15, 2014

i'll be on my bike (but if anyone wants company) to actually ride #illridewithyou marrickville to cbd 8am@tomorrow

— scotte (@scotte_east) December 15, 2014

370 from South King street to UNSW- give me a yell! #illridewithyou

— Dame Bravo Juliett (@esmewatson) December 15, 2014

I'll be running for the 8.30am train to Central from Arncliffe station tomorrow #illridewithyou

— Laura Trieste (@Laura_Trieste) December 15, 2014

If you wear religious attire, & need to get from #Adelaide's west suburbs to the city on Tues but don't want to travel alone #illridewithyou

— Sharna Bremner (@sharnatweets) December 15, 2014

#illridewithyou this hashtag is beautiful, love seeing all australians unite together to help each other through this situation

— fiorella (@juiicyharry) December 15, 2014

#IllRideWithYou equals some hope and love on this ugly day.

— Mark Duval (@MarkDuval) December 15, 2014

Well done, guys.

Everyday Aussies have offered to accompany Muslim people on public transport tomorrow as a gesture of solidarity against Islamophobia.

Prominent Aussies and celebrities have also been inspired to join the movement.

Australians tonight doing what we do best - uniting to overcome intolerance and hate #illridewithyou

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) December 15, 2014

How do you defeat Intolerance? With Unity and Humanity.....Great work tweeters ✌️#illridewithyou

— Daniel MacPherson (@DanMacPherson) December 15, 2014

Shocked and disgusted about what's happening in Sydney... Those poor people trapped in that cafe.. #illridewithyou

— Harry Kewell (@HarryKewell) December 15, 2014

In a flash #illridewithyou

— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) December 15, 2014

Racists that are willing to put a face to their opinions hardly use Twitter. We need to take #illridewithyou to facebook, racisms online hub

— Michael Beveridge (@mickyb273) December 15, 2014

Not from me. Or anyone I know. “@thismelancholic: I'm preparing myself for all the hate I'll get for being a muslim. #illridewithyou”

— Richard Kingsmill (@triplejtheking) December 15, 2014

#illridewithyou . Proud to be one of you.

— Les Murray (@lesmurraySBS) December 15, 2014

Only love can drive out hate #illridewithyou http://t.co/AHWEyrrH7Q

— Tammin Sursok (@tamminsursok1) December 15, 2014

One Twitter user has even added a sticker to her bag so Islamic commuters can find her. What a legend.

Practical thing: I've made a temporary sticker for my bag so people who need me can spot me #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/aVldEn9wVU

— Kristen Boschma (@Kristen_Boschma) December 15, 2014

And now members of the Muslim community have begun to express their gratitude.

i'm muslim and verry happy to see that people in austrilia know that a group of jihadist don't represent all the relegion #illridewithyou

— دنيا loves zayn (@douniabahri) December 15, 2014