JBOD condemns mosque threat

A major police investigation is underway into a social media threat against a recently opened western Sydney mosque alluding to a terrorist attack.

A profoundly concerning online threat against a recently opened mosque has sparked a major police investigation.

A comment on the place of worship’s Instagram page threatened to “Christchurch 2.0” a mosque in western Sydney, alluding to the New Zealand city where an Australian man killed 51 worshippers in a 2019 terror attack, Australian Islamic House said in a statement on Tuesday.

Places of worship need to be safeguarded from hatred and violence, the institution’s president Mazhar Hadid said.

“We are profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said whoever was responsible for the abhorrent threat should face the full force of the law.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the threat was being taken very seriously and a major police investigation was underway.

“Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said in a statement.

“This is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the community unequivocally condemned the threat.

The NSW Jewish community unequivocally condemns the threat reportedly made against the Australian Islamic House Masjid in Edmondson Park.

The alleged threat is appalling and will have caused understandable fear, distress and trauma within the Islamic community.

A bigoted attack or threat targeted at any group of Australians is an attack on us all.

No Australian should have to fear for their safety when attending their place of worship.

We extend our support to the Islamic community and have spoken with the Australian National Imams Council to directly condemn this incident.”