Australia’s largest mosque seeks security after 3rd threatening letter

Australia’s largest mosque has called for more security, after it was mailed a third threatening letter. The note was received by Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday, hours before the holy month of Ramadan started. Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir, which operates the mosque, said there was “increasing unease” in the community in […]

Australia’s largest mosque has called for more security, after it was mailed a third threatening letter.

The note was received by Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday, hours before the holy month of Ramadan started.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir, which operates the mosque, said there was “increasing unease” in the community in the wake of the latest threat.

“We’ve had so many inquiries about [whether] it’s safe to go to prayer,” he said.

“That’s not a question any Australian should ask.”

The latest letter, which has been seen by the ABC, included a handmade drawing of a pig and a threat to kill the “Muslim race”.

It also contained a reference to the man who carried out the Christchurch massacre.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed he had seen the letter.

“The local police have actually been there and spoken to those at the mosque,” he said.

“We’ve taken possession of [the letter] and are investigating.”

He said officers from Operation Shelter, along with local officers, were patrolling the site.

“We are providing significant support to the Muslim community at the time of Ramadan,” he said.

A similar note was mailed to the mosque earlier this month, depicting the building on fire.

Staff received another threatening letter in late January, which singled out Middle Eastern and First Nations communities, along with several political figures.

A 70-year-old man was charged over that note and remains before the courts.

Up to 5000 people are expected to attend Lakemba Mosque each night during Ramadan, and up to 50,000 on the final day of Eid.

 

Demand for more security funding

The association has formally written to the government to call for more funding, which would be used on additional security guards and CCTV cameras around the mosque.

Kheir said police were “very supportive” and have increased their presence at the place of worship, but boosting security would not solve the problem entirely.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the fact that a third letter had been sent to the mosque in almost as many weeks was “pretty serious stuff”.

“Islamophobia has been on the rise… it’s scary times, very difficult times for the community,” he said.

But he said it was heartening to see members of the community still practising their faith. (ABC)