Opposing Protest Groups In Brisbane
Opposing protest groups, from the "Reclaim Australia" anti-islam group (foreground) and those calling for an end to racism (background) are separated by a police line in Brisbane, July 19, 2015. Fear of young Australian Muslims being inspired by militants such as Islamic State and traveling to fight in Iraq and Syria has underpinned support for right-wing groups like Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front. Reuters/Jason Reed

The Anti-Islam and Anti- Racism rally had created quite a stir on Sunday with the police, including the riot squad, having a tough day in keeping the two groups separate from each other.

But uproar ensued on the social media as Federal Government MP George Christensen agreed to speak at the event. MP Christensen said he was more disappointed than surprised at the "tidal wave of hyperventilation and confected outrage on social media" upon his decision to speak out at the event.

Despite all the protests and criticisms Mr. Christensen kept his promise to speak at the Mackay rally on Sunday. The MP criticised the Opposition for terming it as racist and added that the promulgation of repressive ideologies should not be confused with religion; The Herald Sun reported.

"I refer to the slow spread of a sharia-style dispensation of justice, which is quietly executed in Australian mosques, unfortunately, on a daily basis," he said. "It's a form of justice that perpetuates the oppression and abuse of women and yet we don't dare speak of it because we will be instantly attacked as racists."

Labor Leader Bill Shorten had warned the Prime Minister not to invite trouble by allowing his MPs to attend Reclaim Australia Rallies. "I think Mr. Abbott needs to stand with the silent majority of Australians who watch the TV and ask 'what's going on?', rather than giving the green light to his MPs to stir up problems," he told media in Melbourne.

According to The Herald Sun, in Rockhampton, Paulin Hanson told the protestors that the country was getting divided by Islam but insisted that she is not targeting the Muslims.

"I have been outspoken and I am against Islam in Australia," she told the crowd gathered at the rally. "We have allowed different religions that have never been a problem in Australia, (but) I see divisions happening in our country and it's purely based on Islam. I'm not targeting Muslims, I'm targeting the ideology, what Islam stands for and it's very foreign to our culture and to Christianity."

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