SYDNEY: Australian police said on Thursday they had launched an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s west, the country’s largest mosque, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Police said the letter, received on Wednesday, had been seized for forensic examination.
Officers are increasing patrols around religious sites and community events, including the mosque.
Local media reported the letter contained a drawing of a pig and a threat to kill the “Muslim race”.
Third incident in recent weeks
The latest message marks the third threatening incident targeting the mosque in recent weeks.
Earlier, a similar letter depicted Muslims inside a mosque on fire.
In January, police arrested and charged a 70-year-old man in connection with a separate threatening letter sent to mosque staff.
Police did not immediately provide further details about the current investigation.
Lakemba Mosque is run by the Lebanese Muslim Association, which told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) it had written to the government seeking additional funding for security guards and closed-circuit television cameras.
Around 5,000 worshippers are expected to attend the mosque each night during Ramadan.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 60 percent of residents in the suburb of Lakemba identify as Muslim.
Community fears
Bilal El-Hayek, mayor of the Canterbury-Bankstown Council, where Lakemba is located, said the community was feeling “very anxious”.
“I’ve heard first-hand from people saying that they won’t be sending their kids to practice this Ramadan because they’re very concerned about things that might happen in local mosques,” he said.
“There’s been a massive increase post-Bondi. Without a doubt, this is the worst I have ever seen it. There’s a lot of tension out there.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the threats, calling them “outrageous”.
“It is outrageous that people just going about commemorating their faith, particularly during the holy month for Muslims of Ramadan, are subject to this sort of intimidation,” he told ABC radio.
He urged a reduction in heated political rhetoric, saying: “I have said repeatedly we need to turn down the temperature of political discourse in this country, and we certainly need to do that.”
Rising Islamophobia
Anti-Muslim sentiment has been rising in Australia since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in late 2023, according to a recent report commissioned by the government.
The Islamophobia Register Australia said it had documented a 740 percent increase in reported incidents following the Bondi mass shooting on December 14.
Authorities allege two gunmen inspired by the Islamic State terrorists killed 15 people attending a Jewish holiday celebration in the attack.
Officials said investigations into the latest threat were ongoing.
Police said they would continue enhanced patrols and security measures to reassure worshippers and ensure public safety during Ramadan.
