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Melbourne study shows residents uncomfortable with burqas

A study of two of Melbourne's outer suburbs has found two thirds of people feel "uncomfortable" when they see Muslim women wearing face coverings including burqas and niqabs.

The study, carried out by RMIT University in Melbourne, found two-thirds of non-Muslims and 28 per cent of Muslims have the adverse reaction.

Researchers say the respondents' biggest concern was that the face veil prevents interaction with the women.

The study found some Australians are uncomfortable when Muslim women wear face coverings. Source: Getty Images / Stock
The study found some Australians are uncomfortable when Muslim women wear face coverings. Source: Getty Images / Stock

The study - held in Melbourne's suburbs of Fawkner and Broadmeadows - also found the more interaction people had with Muslims, the less likely they were to express Islamophobia.

The 300-participant sample size survey found that overwhelmingly the two diverse suburbs are less likely to experience prejudice.

Among the respondents in Fawkner and Broadmeadows, 41 and 30 per cent respectively, were religiously visible themselves, which means they wore
a hijab, niqab, abaya or other traditional clothing.