## Anthony Albanese condemns ‘abhorrent’ threat made to Sydney mosque as NSW police investigate

President of Australian Islamic House says he is ‘profoundly concerned by this threat’
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Anthony Albanese has condemned a threat made against a mosque in south-west Sydney that referenced the Christchurch terror attack as “abhorrent”, as the  premier, Chris Minns, confirmed police were conducting a “major investigation”.

NSW police on Tuesday evening confirmed they were investigating after the Australian Islamic House – Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami in Edmondson Park 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 ”. Guardian Australia has seen a screenshot of the comments, provided by the mosque.

The threat appears to be a reference to , 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.

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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.

The prime minister on Tuesday night said there was no place in Australia for such an “abhorrent” violent threat.

“Racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” he said.

“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.”

Minns said the threat was “very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan”.

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection, began last Friday, coinciding with the opening of the Australian Islamic House.



Minns said 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.

In a joint statement, the Alliance of Australians for Muslims (AAM) and The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) said they were “alarmed and profoundly concerned” for the safety and wellbeing of Muslims in .

Thousands of worshippers had been gathering at the Australian Islamic House and other mosques for Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, they said.

“This threat is both disturbing and heartbreaking, shaking the Muslim community to its core and evoking painful memories of the tragic and brutal Christchurch massacre,” they said.

The NSW multiculturalism minister, Steve Kamper, said the threat was “incredibly concerning”.

“Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society,” he said.

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