SMALL business owners in Bunbury’s CBD have vowed to stand strong and have urged tolerance after a vicious outpouring of online “hate” against a popular local cafe.
Malaysian eatery Mots Cafe, which opened on Prinsep Street about three years ago, became the target of close to 3000 comments after owners raised the topic of halal food on their Facebook page last week.
The original post or review of the cafe came from a person who had never dined there but wanted to express his disgust at halal food and urged other people “not to waste their money” at the business.
Owner Muhaini “Mot” Taylor said she thought it would be helpful to explain the meaning behind halal as there were many misconceptions around the practice.
“I just thought ‘Oh maybe he doesn’t know what it is and that’s why I wrote a post to try to explain it,” Ms Taylor said.
The post explained that all meat used at Mot’s Cafe is halal, which means it is hand-slaughtered and the animal is blessed “with words of appreciation and the sacrifice of its life to feed mankind.”
“It is the practise of Islam, but it can also be a practise for anyone who is grateful and is concerned of all living things that are treated in this world,” the post read.
The business sources its halal meat from local meat processing business Harvey Beef.
Within hours an overwhelming stream of comments appeared on the post from across Australia and internationally, including many vicious and anti-Islamic slurs.
The online attack comes in the lead-up to Australia Day, with Bunbury police reminding the community that anti-social behaviour and acts of racism will not be tolerated.
In 2013, Carey Park business Spicy Superstore was the target of racist vandalism within months of opening its doors.
But Mots Cafe also received messages of support from local customers and interstate, urging the owners to ignore the hateful comments.
“I am really thankful for the support, there are people I haven’t even met that have got in contact to get behind us,” Ms Taylor said.
The owners have no intention of closing the restaurant but Ms Taylor said she would consider deleting the Facebook account.
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan urged residents to learn about cultural differences and not “simply follow the ignorance of others”.
“Cultural diversity is one of our community’s greatest strengths, embrace it and enjoy it as I and many thousands of other Bunbury residents do,” Mr Brennan said.
The popular cafe was named one of the best places to visit in Bunbury when the Lonely Planet published its Perth and West Coast Australia travel guide in 2013.
