Disengagement is necessary

For years, Muslim organisations across New South Wales have maintained structured engagement with NSW Police under the premise that relationship and proximity would deliver impartial enforcement or meaningful accountability. That premise has now collapsed. Despite ongoing forums, meetings, photo opportunities, and symbolic “unity” events, there has been no demonstrable shift in policing posture when it matters most. On-the-ground lived experience tells a different story.

Monday, the 9th of Feb, 2026, will forever be remembered. Young and old were subjected to the brutal force of the NSW Police Force. One woman was left with broken vertebrae, a 16-year-old was restrained and injured, a councillor pepper-sprayed, a member of parliament struck, journalists pushed aside, and unnamed protesters punched and dragged. Each incident represents a breach of the duty owed to citizens exercising lawful rights. Then there is the violation of one of the most sacred acts in our faith, prayer. Men and women in prostration were thrown, dragged, and kicked. This is a desecration of something fundamental to who we are.

The illusion of a partnership

When organisations continue to participate in closed-door meetings, invite police to community events, endorse language of “confidence,” or appear in symbolic "unity" platforms, it creates the impression of consent and partnership. Meanwhile, the operational realities affecting Muslims remain unchanged and dangerous. Engagement without leverage becomes insulation for power.

Organisational disengagement serves a clear purpose: it withdraws political cover. It signals that current processes have failed. It compels reconsideration. It replaces access without consequence with distance that carries weight.

Disengagement is not about hostility, nor discouraging ordinary civilian contact with law enforcement, or obstructing police operations. Individuals will continue to interact with police where necessary. This call concerns institutions, mosques, charities, advocacy bodies, and community organisations, whose formal engagement has yielded no measurable impact. This is why disengagement is a rational and necessary recalibration.

What does disengagement look like?

Disengagement includes:

• No formal or informal forums with NSW Police
• No police presence (as guests) at Muslim community functions
• No invitations to Iftar, Eid, or symbolic unity events
• No participation in photo opportunities
• No endorsement language implying confidence in unchanged systems
• A written framework outlining clear conditions for re-engagement

If engagement has produced no real impact, then continued participation only sustains the illusion of progress.

Fill out the disengagement form. Choose a defined period and establish conditions for return. Leverage requires consequence.