Latest news with #MasjidAl-BaytAl-Islami
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Chris Minns condemns Islamophobic social media attack on Lakemba mosque as ‘truly disgusting'
New South Wales police are investigating an alleged Islamophobic social media comment targeting Lakemba mosque in Sydney's west, with the state premier calling the post 'truly disgusting'. The mosque in Sydney's west was targeted by a comment invoking an Australian man's terrorist attack in New Zealand in which 51 worshippers were murdered during prayers. The reference to the 2019 attack in Christchurch was posted on a video Lakemba mosque shared on TikTok showing worshippers leaving during Ramadan. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'Enough is enough,' the mosque said on Thursday in a Facebook post. 'This is not just online hate – we have seen where unchecked racism leads,' it said. 'We will not wait for another tragedy before action is taken. 'We demand protection, respect, and the right to live without fear in our own country.' Earlier this month the Australian Islamic House – Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami in Edmondson Park reported a similar online threat made against it on Instagram. Police confirmed they were investigating that threat. The Lebanese Muslim Association, which operates the Lakemba mosque, referred the threat to the police. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The association noted the incident had occurred during the sacred month of Ramadan. In a statement, it said: 'Thousands of Australian Muslims who gather at Lakemba mosque and across the country do so with love and commitment to this nation. 'They are citizens who contribute to its prosperity and diversity. Yet they continue to feel unsafe in their own country due to the lack of legal protections and the unchecked rise of anti-Muslim rhetoric.' The NSW premier, Chris Minns, condemned the reported threat as 'truly disgusting'. 'The NSW police force have launched an urgent investigation into this threat and those responsible will face the full force of the law. 'Every single person in our state deserves to be able to practise their faith free from threats and this racism and Islamophobia has absolutely no place in NSW.' The multiculturalism minister, Steve Kamper, said the government was taking the reported threat seriously and the community would be supported to feel protected and safe. 'To invoke the horrific tragedy of the Christchurch terror attack is unconscionable and despicable,' he said. 'No matter your ethnicity, religion, or country of birth, we are all bound – first and foremost – by our common commitment to each other as Australians,' he said. A spokesperson for the NSW police said an investigation had been commenced into the matter.
The Guardian
04-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
NSW police launch major investigation after threat made to Sydney mosque
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has said police are conducting a 'major investigation' into a 'distressing' threat made against a mosque in western Sydney that referenced the Christchurch terror attack. NSW police on Tuesday evening confirmed they were investigating after the Australian Islamic House – Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami reported an online threat made against it on Instagram. The mosque said an Instagram user had made offensive comments on its Instagram page including that they were 'about to christ church 2.0 this join [sic]'. Guardian Australia has seen a screenshot of the comments, provided by the mosque. The threat appears to be a reference to the terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March, 2019, in which Brenton Tarrant carried out two consecutive mass shootings at the Al Noor mosque in Riccarton and the Linwood Islamic Centre. Tarrant has since been convicted of terrorism, the murder of 51 people and attempted murder of 40 people and jailed for life without parole. The president of the Australian Islamic House, Mazhar Hadid, said he was 'profoundly concerned' his mosque had received a threat referencing the 'tragic' Christchurch attack. 'We are profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness,' Hadid said. 'Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country. Police said the online threat was made on Monday and their initial inquiries under Strike Force Pearl revealed the source was interstate. They said there were no ongoing threats to the community. Minns said the threat was 'very distressing' and the NSW government and police were taking the matter 'very seriously'. 'Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,' he said. More details soon …
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Christchurch 2.0' threat to Sydney mosque
A major police investigation is underway following a disturbing threat to a mosque in Western Sydney. The Australian Islamic House – Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami in Edmonson Park said in a statement on Tuesday evening it had received a threat on Instagram saying: 'I'm about to christ church (sic) 2.0 this joint.' The threat references a heinous attack on a mosque in Christchurch New Zealand, where Australian-born man Brenton Tarrant killed 51 people in 2019 after storming the building and opening fire. The mosque said it had reported the threat to authorities, who are investigating, and would continue its nightly Ramadan prayers, with increased police presence. 'We take this threat seriously. Our community deserves to feel safe, and we urge authorities to act swiftly. We also call on the public to stand united against Islamophobia and hate.' Mazhar Hadid OAM, president of the mosque, said. Police have increased activity following the online threat made to the Edmondson Park mosque on Monday. 'The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers,' a police spokesman said. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was very distressing, particularly as Muslims were participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan, which began on Friday. 'Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,' he said. Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said this threat was incredibly concerning. 'Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society. Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community,' he said. 'No matter your ethnicity, religion, or country of birth, we are all bound – first and foremost – by our common commitment to each other as Australians. 'We will continue to support our community to ensure they are protected and safe.' More to come.
