A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly made an online threat towards a mosque in south-west Sydney.
The Australian Islamic House Masjid Mosque in Edmondson Park allegedly received comments on an Instagram post yesterday evening from an account that referenced the 2019 Christchurch Mass Shooting at a mosque in New Zealand.
A major police investigation was quickly conducted, with police arresting the teenager at Eaton, in Western Australia.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state government and NSW Police were taking the threats “very seriously”.
“This is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan,” Minns said.
“Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.”
The comments were reported to police yesterday.
In a statement, the mosque’s leaders said they were co-operating with police.
“The mosque’s leadership is fully co-operating with the police to ensure the safety and security of its community members,” Australian Islamic House president Mazhar Hadid OAM said.
“We are profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness.”
“Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country,” he said.
“We call on the authorities to treat this matter with the highest urgency and to ensure that all places of worship are safeguarded against such acts of hatred and violence. We also urge the public to remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the online threats.
“I have been advised there has been a threat of violence against a mosque in Sydney’s south-west,” Albanese said.
“This is abhorrent and there is no place for this in Australia.
“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter.
“Those responsible must face the full force of the law. Racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated.”
NSW Police said there were no ongoing threats to the community.
“Following a referral from the New South Wales Police Force to the Western Australia Police Force, a 16-year-old boy was arrested at Eaton, in south-west Western Australia.”
He is currently assisting police with enquiries.
