Two men charged after Melbourne imam allegedly assaulted, threatened in racially motivated attack
Updated ,first published
A Muslim leader who was allegedly attacked on Saturday said he was punched in the face in a horrific racist attack that has led religious organizations to call for stronger action against Islamophobia.
Three people were arrested on Sunday after Imam Ismet Purdic, leader of the Islamic Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Noble Park, and his wife were allegedly run off the road and racially abused in Melbourne’s south-east.
Brendan Nicholls, 23, of Cranbourne North, is accused of assaulting Purdic and damaging the imam’s car. Police said the co-defendant, a 22-year-old from Cranbourne East, will be charged with assault and criminal damage.
An 18-year-old woman from South Dandenong was also arrested but was released pending a summons.
Nicholls was remanded in custody to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday. But the case was adjourned after the court heard he had withdrawn from an undisclosed clause and acted at fault.
Nicholls’ screams from his holding cell could be heard throughout the courtroom.
The other defendant was released on bail to appear in court in May.
On Monday, Purdic described the deep trauma after he and his wife were allegedly targeted with Islamophobic insults and threats, including stabbing threats and physical assault.
Police said the imam and his wife were driving along the South Gippsland Highway in South Dandenong about 7.40pm on Saturday when they were subjected to racist abuse from the passengers of a nearby black hatchback.
Before the passengers got out of the hatchback and damaged the couple’s car, the hatchback allegedly blocked the imam’s vehicle, forcing him off the road and into a service station.
Purdic told this outlet that the attack allegedly started when the men threw cans and food while the couple was driving.
Purdic said that after forcing the car off the road, the men began kicking the car, and one of the men broke the side mirror of the vehicle with his hand.
“I was getting out of the car, the other one punched me in the face, on my left cheek, under my eye. The taller of the two ran to the other side of the car, attacked my wife and took her mobile phone… One of the attackers threatened to stab my wife,” said Imam.
Purdic said the two men were prevented from launching further attacks soon after by the intervention of witnesses.
“I would like to emphasize that I was attacked without any provocation,” he said. “They insulted me with vulgar words based on Islamophobia.
“We must all work to prevent such events from happening in Australia, and we must all make a choice about the kind of world we want to live in.”
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said she spoke to Purdic and his wife on Monday and described the attack as a “horrific” example of Islamophobia.
“I want to say very clearly to the Muslim community, especially Muslim women, that every day I will fight and support your right to live freely in this state, free from hate, but also your right to move around our society safely and with dignity,” Allan said. he said.
A spokesman for the National Imams Council of Australia confirmed Purdic received medical treatment for his injuries on Monday.
The Islamic Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned the attack and said Purdic called on Australians to work together to prevent racist attacks.
The statement said, “The Imam pointed out the deep trauma caused by the incident and expressed his gratitude for the fact that his children were not there.”
“Imam Purdic has served the community for over 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect.
“He called on all Australians to work together to prevent such hatred and violence.”
The National Imams Council of Australia said the alleged offenders “appeared to be British white with distinctive tattoos and displayed behavior and language consistent with white supremacist and extreme hate ideology”.
“This attack took place despite Victoria officially recognizing March 15 as the United Nations International Day Against Islamophobia,” the council said in a statement.
“ANIC also warns that political discourse and irresponsible media commentary are actively fueling this violence, particularly the dangerous false equivalence established between peaceful pro-Palestinian advocacy and the Bondi terrorist attacks.”
The council called for stronger national action against Islamophobia and right-wing extremism.
The Greens criticized the prime minister for failing to act on reports of an increase in attacks against Muslims.
“These targeted and disproportionate acts of violence against Australian Muslims require more than empty words,” said Anasina Gray-Barberio, the Greens’ spokesperson on multiculturalism and anti-racism.
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Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. Got a clue? Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Signal.Connect with: excitement or email.
