Mosque Threatened During Ramadan in Australia, Authorities Investigate Incident

SYDNEY: (Web Desk) – Australia’s largest mosque, the Lakemba Mosque, has come under serious threat during the holy month of Ramadan, prompting authorities to launch a formal investigation.

Local media reported that a threatening letter, containing explicit threats to harm Muslims, was sent to the mosque on Wednesday. Weeks earlier, the mosque had also received an email showing an image of the mosque on fire, intensifying safety concerns within the Muslim community.

Police confirmed the arrest of a 70-year-old man, charged with allegedly sending the threatening email. Authorities have sent the recent letter for forensic examination and increased security measures at the mosque, other religious sites, and public gatherings.

The mosque, managed by the Lebanese Muslim Association, has requested additional government funding for enhanced security, including more guards and CCTV installation. Lakemba suburb has a Muslim population exceeding 60 percent, and around 5,000 worshippers are expected nightly at the mosque during Ramadan.

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Bilal El-Hayek, Mayor of the Canterbury-Bankstown Council, said the threats have left the local Muslim community deeply distressed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the incidents, reiterating the government’s commitment to religious freedom and community safety.

The threats follow a broader trend, as a recent government report highlighted a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment across Australia since the Gaza conflict in late 2023, raising concerns about intolerance and security nationwide.