Two Muslim women, one of whom is pregnant, were hospitalised following the assaults at Pacific Epping on High Street in Epping about 1.10pm on Thursday.
One of the victims, a 27-year-old mother-of-two, was grocery shopping when a random woman slapped her across the face and shoved her to the ground.
She suffered bruising across her body and said she is now too scared to leave her home.
“This lady, like out of nowhere, just came and like it was a punch, smack, something like that, right across my left side,” she told 9News.
“I’m an Australian citizen, I was born here. Getting attacked in your own country is a bit wild.”
About 10 minutes earlier, another woman, aged 30, had her hijab grabbed in an attack as she sat at a a cafe inside the shopping centre.
“She said [the attacker] came from behind and choked her with her hijab and wouldn’t let go,” the woman told 9News.
9News understands members of the public did not intervene during the incidents.
The attacker fled the scene on foot.
Both women were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and police are investigating.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,” a spokesperson for Victoria Police said.
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) condemned the assaults.
“Both victims, one of whom is pregnant, were taken to Northern Hospital by ambulance for treatment after being left with bruises, scratches, and potentially long-term physical injuries,” an ANIC spokesperson said.
“Despite the prompt response of police and ambulance officers at the scene, the aftermath of this incident has left the victims feeling ignored and fearing for their safety.”
The spokesperson said one of the women was then subjected to online threats after sharing the incident in a local Facebook group.
“We insist on an overhaul of current protocols to ensure that all Islamophobic attacks are taken seriously, and that those affected receive the necessary follow-up and referrals to victim support services,” the spokesperson added.
Anyone who witnessed the assaults is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.