New South Wales Police have launched an investigation after an online threat was made against Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque during Ramadan, with community leaders urging stronger laws to combat anti-Muslim hate.
Sydney Mosque Targeted in Online Threat Calls for Stronger Anti-Hate Laws
The threat appeared on TikTok after the mosque’s official account posted a time-lapse video of worshippers leaving prayers. A user named “wello” commented, “Christchurch again please,” referencing the 2019 terrorist attack in New Zealand, where 51 Muslims were massacred.
“Places of worship and education should be safe spaces. Yet, our community continues to face attacks simply for practicing our faith and educating our children,” Lakemba Mosque said in a statement on Thursday, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Later in the comments, the TikTok user claimed he was in Silverwater prison. NSW Police confirmed they are investigating, emphasizing their commitment to tackling hate crimes.
“The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses one to report it,” police said in a statement.
Another Threat
This incident follows another recent threat against a Sydney mosque.
Two weeks ago, authorities charged a 16-year-old from Western Australia was for allegedly threatening violence against the Australian Islamic House Masjid in Edmondson Park. The teenager, who remains before the courts, reportedly wrote on Instagram that he would “Christchurch 2.0” the newly opened mosque.
Lakemba Mosque condemned the increasing hate speech and urged authorities to take stronger action.
“Hate speech, threats, and Islamophobia are on the rise,” the mosque said. “Stronger laws must be put in place to recognize and criminalize anti-Muslim hate.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns strongly condemned the online threat, calling it “truly disgusting.”
“The NSW Police Force has launched an urgent investigation, and those responsible will face the full force of the law,” Minns said.
“Every single person in our state deserves to practice their faith free from threats. This racism and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in NSW.”
As police continue their inquiries, Muslim community leaders and advocacy groups are calling for legislative reforms to ensure places of worship remain safe from threats and attacks.
SOURCE: https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/australia/sydney-mosque-targeted-in-online-threat-calls-for-stronger-anti-hate-laws/