The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) is deeply alarmed by yet another Islamophobic incident in Queensland — this time targeting a place of worship. This is the second incident within the past week, following a threatening email sent to the Islamic College of Brisbane on Friday, 5th September, and an alleged bomb hoax at the Arundel Mosque on the evening of Sunday, 7th September.
ANIC acknowledges the public condemnation by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, and notes Queensland Police have charged a 34-year-old man from Labrador in connection with the mosque incident.
At the same time, ANIC must highlight the disparity in response we continue to observe. Antisemitic incidents against the Jewish community — which we unequivocally condemn — routinely attract swift, high-level action and immediate public statements from law enforcement and state and federal leaders. Islamophobic incidents, including threats against Islamic places of worship, too often do not receive the same immediacy, visibility, or resourcing. Every faith community deserves equal protection and equal urgency.
ANIC’s calls to action
1. Equal, immediate condemnation from state and federal leaders for Islamophobic threats, accompanied by concrete safety measures and timelines.
2. Priority security response to threats targeting mosques and Islamic schools: visible patrols, protective-security assessments, and real-time updates to community leaders.
3. Ensure incidents are correctly classified as religiously motivated, where applicable.
ANIC has been in direct contact with Arundel Mosque chairman Hussin Goss to offer support and assistance. We stand with Queensland’s Muslim community, and we reiterate that a threat to one place of worship is a threat to all. We call on governments and police to apply one consistent standard of urgency and care across all communities.
We urge community members to report threats immediately to 000 and to your local police station, and to also register the incident with Action Against Islamophobia (AAI) so patterns can be tracked and addressed.
