Man charged after allegedly threatening Muslim worshippers at Brisbane mosque | Queensland
Australia’s peak Islamic body has condemned rising “anti-Muslim sentiment” after a man allegedly threatened worshipers at a Brisbane mosque on Sunday, claiming to be carrying a gun.
The man is alleged to have attended the Taqwa Masjid in Bald Hills, Brisbane, at around 10.46am on Sunday and threatened worshipers at the mosque.
According to the National Imams Council of Australia, the man entered the mosque and made threats, claiming to have an AK-47 in his vehicle outside.
The Guardian understands the man was not armed and was alerted to the presence of worshipers that a large number of shoes were found outside the building.
Queensland police on Monday charged a 33-year-old man with disturbing a place of worship and causing public nuisance.
“No one was physically injured and the man fled the scene before police arrived,” a Queensland police spokesman said.
A man is expected to appear in Brisbane magistrates court on May 22.
The council described the alleged incident as “deeply disturbing” and a “gross violation of the sanctity, safety and security of places of worship”.
“Places of worship must remain temples of peace, contemplation and security. Any act of intimidation, threat or hatred towards worshipers is completely unacceptable, must be unequivocally condemned and treated with the utmost seriousness,” said Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, president of the council.
The mosque has separately been the target of anti-Muslim graffiti, Nazi symbols and Islamophobic abuse, according to the council.
In two separate and unrelated incidents last September, the Islamic College of Brisbane allegedly received a threatening email and the Arundel mosque on the Gold Coast also received an alleged bomb hoax.
Imam Shadi said the repeated incidents raise serious concerns about the increasing hostility faced by Muslim communities across the country.
He said Islamophobia stemmed from “divisive narratives and rhetoric promoted by some sections of the media and some political figures, contributing to fear, hostility and the marginalization of Muslim communities in Australia”.
“The safety and security of the Muslim community has weakened and concerns are growing about the increasing normalization of anti-Muslim sentiment, threats, intimidation and acts of hatred against Australian Muslims and their places of worship,” Imam Shadi said.
A police spokesman said there was no ongoing threat to public safety.
