In yet another alarming incident of online hate, a third mosque in Sydney has been targeted with Islamophobic threats just a day after a similar attack on a nearby place of worship.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has strongly condemned the hateful rhetoric, vowing to use the full extent of the law to combat what he described as “vile racism.” He dismissed any claims that authorities have been slow in addressing the concerns raised by the Muslim community.
Authorities confirmed on Friday that the Padstow Mosque in southwest Sydney had become the latest victim of online hate speech. The incident follows a chilling social media comment referencing the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, which was posted on the Lakemba Mosque’s online platform just a day earlier.
Investigators suspect a possible connection between these incidents, raising concerns about a coordinated effort to spread fear within the Muslim community.
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Lakemba Mosque was the second to be targeted with an online message invoking the tragic mass shooting in Christchurch, where an Australian gunman killed 51 worshippers in New Zealand.
In a separate case, a teenager from Perth was recently charged for allegedly threatening to commit a similar act of violence at the Australian Islamic House, also in Sydney’s southwest.
Premier Minns expressed his deep concern over the situation, acknowledging the distress it has caused, especially during the sacred month of Ramadan.
I can only imagine the fear and anxiety among Muslim families who are simply trying to observe Ramadan in peace. No community should have to deal with this level of hatred,” he stated on Friday.
However, he rejected claims that his administration has not taken decisive action to protect Muslim communities, pointing to previous arrests and legal measures enacted against hate speech and threats.
NSW recently introduced legislative changes aimed at curbing hate crimes, though critics argue that the laws primarily focus on race-based discrimination while failing to extend equal protections to religious groups.
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“These laws are not designed to protect just one community. They apply to all communities, ensuring that every citizen is safeguarded from hate and violence,” Minns emphasized.
While some of the recent anti-Semitic incidents in the state have been linked to organized crime rather than ideological extremism, Muslim leaders warn that Islamophobic threats must be taken just as seriously.
Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which oversees the Lakemba Mosque, said the community is deeply unsettled.
The Christchurch massacre is still fresh in our minds, and now, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emotions are heightened. The community is understandably on edge,” he told AAP.
Authorities continue to investigate the recent threats, reassuring the public that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of places of worship across the region.