The billboard picturing two women in hijab was displayed in Melbourne as part of the Australia Day celebration promotion. It, however, drew a lot of criticism from social media users who labeled it too politically correct and un-Australian. The sign was erected alongside a freeway interchange between Penninsula Link and Connect east at Cranbourne.
The company behind it, QMS, chose to pull the billboard down after receiving numerous threats, but declined to comment. Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott however, said that anyone who considered it a victory should rethink the true meaning of Australia Day.
"It is about bringing people together and celebrating the diversity which makes this state and this country great," Mr Scott said.
"It's very disappointing to see a small minority attacking proud Australians for their love of their country."
Green’s leader Richard Di Natale also released a statement saying he was “absolutely disgusted to hear that an Islamophobic campaign aimed at pressuring the company behind this billboard to take it down has been successful”.
Islamophobia Register president Mariam Veiszadeh told SBS News the reaction against the billboard was part of a growing trend.
"Increasingly, any visible portrayal of Australian Muslims or any diversity for that matter, in connection with a public campaign is becoming the subject of backlash from small but vocal parts of the community," she said.
This is not the first time images of Islamic connection have drawn criticism. A recent ‘Back to school’ catalogue of Target store received mixed response on social media after it featured a woman wearing a hijab in it.
Recently, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had also renewed calls to ban burqa when she told Sky news that she will call for an investigation against Islam and ban the use of burqa in government buildings, schools and banks in Queensland.
The photo in question was actually taken at last year’s Australia Day celebrations in Docklands and was one of several chosen by festival sponsor RACV to advertise this year’s event and to reflect the country’s diversity.
"RACV is proud to be the major supporter of the Victorian government's popular Australia Day Festival, which celebrates everything that makes our country great," it said in a statement.
