A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in Western Australia following an alleged online threat to Australia’s newest mosque in south-west Sydney by a user that they were “about to christ church 2.0 this join[t]”.
The teen was arrested at Eaton, in south-west WA, just before 5pm (AWST) and is assisting police with their inquiries, WA Police said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The alleged threat was made in a comment underneath a post on the mosque’s Instagram profile on Monday.
It appeared to be making a reference to the 2019 terrorist attack in Christchurch, when a shooter gunned down 51 people during Friday afternoon prayer. It was the worst mass shooting in New Zealand’s history.
In a statement earlier on Tuesday, NSW Police said officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command “have commenced an investigation after a report on an online threat was made towards a religious centre at Edmondson Park yesterday”.
“There are no ongoing threats to the community and initial inquiries revealed the source of the threat was interstate.”
The mosque officially opened at Edmondson Park in south-west Sydney on Friday, the first day of Ramadan. Source: Facebook / The Australian Islamic House
‘Our community deserves to feel safe and protected’
Hundreds of worshippers have visited the Australian Islamic House (AIH) since it opened in Edmondson Park ahead of the holy month of Ramadan last Friday.
Places of worship need to be safeguarded from hatred and violence, the institution’s president Mazhar Hadid said.
“We are profoundly concerned,” he said in a statement.
“Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country.”
Hadid called on authorities to treat the alleged threat with “the highest urgency”.
The Alliance of Australians for Muslims and The Australian National Imams Council said they were “deeply alarmed and profoundly concerned” for the safety and well-being of Muslims in Sydney following the alleged threat.
‘No place for this in Australia’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said whoever was responsible for the “abhorrent” alleged threat should face the full force of the law.
“There is no place for this in Australia … racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.
“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the alleged threat was “very distressing” — “particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan”.
“The NSW government and NSW Police are taking this very seriously,” he said on X.
NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper described the alleged threat as heinous.
“Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society,” he said.
“Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community.”
Australian Islamic House said nightly prayers would continue after it had been assured of an increased police presence.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the community unequivocally condemned the alleged threat.
“No Australian should have to fear for their safety when attending their place of worship.”