Sydney Muslim forum to discuss terror laws

Sydney's Muslim community will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns about the government's planned anti-terror laws at a forum.

Sydney's Muslim community will hold a forum to discuss "alternatives" to the federal government's planned anti-terror laws.

Australian Muslim Women's Association spokeswoman Silma Ihram says the forum, to be held on Friday in Lakemba in Sydney's southwest, will allow community members to voice their concerns about the mooted counter-terrorism measures.

"We expect a lot of venting," she told AAP.

"But we're going to try and make sure that everybody has an opportunity to speak their minds both about what their concerns are and what their positive, constructive solutions might be."

Ms Ihram was one of a number of community representatives who met with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday to discuss his anti-terror measures.

She says many in the community feel they hadn't been properly consulted by the government and were being pushed into rubber stamping the laws.

Ms Ihram said it was important that the community's leadership took those worries on board before meeting again with government representatives.

"If we are going to tackle this problem, it's really important that we consult widely and understand what the real concerns are," she said.

The meeting will discuss "alternative programs, policies, interventions (and) preventions" to the anti-terror legislation, according to the forum's poster.

It is aimed at preparing the community for its upcoming meeting with Attorney-General George Brandis to discuss the measures.

The forum, which is being organised by several community members, will not be open to the media.


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