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.
“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.
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.
