Australians counter Islamophobia with #illridewithyou

As the Sydney hostage drama continues, Australians have come together with the hashtag #illridewithyou to combat Islamophobia that spawned following the siege.

Many took to social media to express their solidarity with Muslim Australians, who have faced abused and intimidation in the country.

It began with a Facebook post by Rachael Jacobs about a Muslim woman on the train with her slowing removing her hijab for fear she might be attacked due to the incident taking place today.

Jacobs said he ran after the woman and told her to put her headscarf on before adding “I’ll walk with you”.

A screenshot of that update was then shared on Twitter, where it was retweeted more than 2,000 times, prompting a public callout.

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

Maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

Thousand more retweeted their support making the hashtag #illridewithyou the highest trending Twitter topic across the globe.

Thanks for protecting my sisters #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/Qy9l0lN1qB
— Angger Prawitasari (@anggerwitasari) December 15, 2014

If anyone takes the Seaford to Adelaide train and doesn't feel safe @ me and #illridewithyou :) @AdelaideMetroSA #seafordline #adelaide
— Jake (@JakeT004) December 15, 2014

Never been more proud to be an Aussie! #illridewithyou
— Aces & Eights (@A8Band) December 15, 2014

We are one but we are many & from all the lands on earth we come. We share a dream & sing with one voice...we are Australian #illridewithyou
— Hannah Kesby (@hkesby) December 15, 2014

On the other side of the world but so proud of my country! Human Decency 1-Religious Persecution 0. Stay strong Sydney. #illridewithyou
— Sarah Howell (@SubLemonSarah) December 15, 2014

#illridewithyou makes me so proud of Australia. One man should not affect how we view 1.6 billion muslims. #sydneysiege
— Michaela Prendergast (@MsMJPrendergast) December 15, 2014