Abdel-Magied mocks Aussie gang fears

Yassmin Abdel-Magied sparks controversy by mocking Australians concerned about gang violence and the nation’s convict past.

Abdel-Magied speaking at the National Library in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Muslim activist and former ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied has sparked controversy by mocking Australians concerned about Melbourne’s rising gang violence and the nation’s convict past on Twitter.

A string of violent incidents in Victoria’s capital throughout December and January have been linked to African migrant gangs amid growing debate around the leniency of the state’s bail system.

Ms Abdel-Magied, who was born in Sudan, started a social media storm by tweeting “All these aussies outraged about ‘gangs’, acting like they’re not descendant of actual convicts lol.”

All these aussies outraged about ‘gangs’, acting like they’re not descendant of actual convicts lol. pic.twitter.com/rFqNACCUmt

— Yassmin Abdel-Magied (@yassmin_a) January 5, 2018

She later tweeted that she was joking, saying “I mean JOKES OBVIOUSLY MUSLIMS DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR OMG SHARIA.” and also said “Every so often I feel like I need to wear a T-shirt that says ‘Muslims have a sense of humour.’”

I mean JOKES OBVIOUSLY MUSLIMS DON'T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR OMG SHARIA

lol.

— Yassmin Abdel-Magied (@yassmin_a) January 6, 2018

The former engineer came to national attention last year when she told Jacqui Lambie “Islam is the most feminist religion” on ABC’s program Q&A and when she posted on her Facebook page “Lest We Forget (Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine ...).” on Anzac Day. She later deleted the post and apologised. Ms Abdel-Magied relocated to England last year after receiving a barrage of hatred for her polarising opinions.