Members of the community have expressed concern after Diana Abdel-Rahman OAM was allegedly attacked in Civic. Photo: Supplied.
The “cowardly and vile” alleged assault of a community leader in central Canberra has been met with an outcry by politicians, leaders and organisations across the ACT.
Police have now released an image of the suspect and are seeking the public’s help to identify him.
The deputy chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF), Diana Abdel-Rahman OAM, was walking through East Row in Civic on Sunday afternoon (13 April) when a man allegedly hit her from behind.
The man also allegedly took a flag she was carrying and threw it on the ground before running away.
In a statement, the CMCF said Ms Abdel-Rahman had been walking with a friend, eating ice cream after attending a rally in support of refugees, before the alleged assault.
The flag she had displayed both the Palestinian and Lebanese flags.
“This was not simply an act of random violence; it was a targeted and hateful attack on a woman who dared to express support for displaced communities and human rights,” CMCF secretary Chin Wong said.
Nazmul Hasan, an ACT multicultural community champion and 2023 Local Hero nominee, said he was “absolutely horrified” to learn of the alleged attack.
“I am deeply shaken by this cowardly and vile act,” he said.
“Targeting anyone – let alone a respected woman leader in our multicultural community – is an affront to the values we hold dear in Canberra.
“Violence against women, especially in public spaces, is both alarming and unacceptable.”
Police want to identify this man over the alleged assault of Diana Abdel-Rahman OAM in East Row, Civic, on Sunday afternoon (13 April). Photo: ACT Policing.
ACT Greens MLA Andrew Braddock claimed the incident appeared to have been racially motivated.
“Attacks such as these do not happen in a vacuum. They occur within a community context. Where the actions, and more importantly, inactions, of powerful people and governments create an authorising environment,” he said.
“If leaders and governments fail to condemn international law breaches, war crimes and genocide in Gaza, their very inaction leads to complicity in those human rights violations, as well as contributing to an authorising environment within our community for racially motivated attacks to occur.”
ACT Greens MLA Andrew Braddock claimed the alleged attack appeared to be racially motivated. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Independent ACT Senator David Pocock said he was “appalled” to hear about the “disgraceful incident”.
“Diana Abdel-Rahman OAM is a highly respected community leader,” he said.
“I condemn this cowardly attack and hope to see a swift investigation and the perpetrator brought to justice.”
Also, the Palestine Action Group Canberra condemned “the cowardly attack on this leading figure in the multicultural community and the Palestinian solidarity movement in the ACT”.
On Friday (17 April), ACT Policing said it was seeking the public’s assistance to identify a man following the alleged assault and released a CCTV image of the suspect.
They said the alleged assault took place at about 4:45 pm on Sunday on East Row in the City bus interchange.
The man is described as having dark hair and dark skin. He was wearing a distinctive red hoodie with white lettering on the back, red shorts and white socks with red shoes.
“Police are also keen to speak with any witnesses to the incident who have not already come forward,” a police spokesperson said.
If you have information about this incident, you can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Quote reference 8022456
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