Lakemba Mosque Australia News Islamophobia Ramadan Security Mosque Threats — Police increase security outside Lakemba Mosque after threatening letters ahead of Ramadan.

Australia police probe mosque threat before Ramadan

Threatening letters to Lakemba Mosque spark fear, boost security, and raise concerns about rising anti-Muslim hate before Ramadan in Australia.

By Fahad On Feb 19, 2026

Australia – (Web Desk) – Police in Australia said on Thursday they have started an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to the country’s largest mosque, marking the third such incident just before Ramadan.

According to reports, the letter was delivered on Wednesday to Lakemba Mosque, located in western Sydney. The message included a drawing of a pig and a disturbing threat against Muslims.

Police officials said the letter has been sent for forensic examination. They added that security patrols have been increased at mosques, other religious places, and community gatherings to ensure public safety.

This incident follows another threatening letter sent to the same mosque weeks earlier, which showed an image of Muslims trapped inside a burning mosque. In a separate case, police have already arrested and charged a 70-year-old man over a similar threatening letter sent to mosque staff in January.

The Lebanese Muslim Association, which runs the mosque, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) it had written to the government to request more funding for additional security guards and CCTV cameras.

Some 5,000 people are expected to attend the mosque each night during Ramadan. More than 60% of residents in the suburb of Lakemba identify as Muslim, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Bilal El-Hayek, mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown council, where Lakemba is located, said the community was feeling “very anxious”.

Australian Prime Minister @AlboMP attend Iftar party with Muslims, says generations of Muslim Australians have enriched our country, and tonight we celebrated with the community in Dandenong.#Ramadan2026 pic.twitter.com/okggACBOzA

— The South Asia Times (@thesouthasiatim) February 19, 2026

“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.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the recent string of threats.

“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.

“I have said repeatedly we need to turn down the temperature of political discourse in this country, and we certainly need to do that.”

Anti-Muslim sentiment has been growing in Australia since the war in Gaza War in late 2023, according to a recent report commissioned by the government.

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The Islamophobia Register Australia has also documented a 740% rise in reports following the Bondi mass shooting on December 14, where authorities allege two gunmen inspired by Daesh killed 15 people attending a Jewish holiday celebration.

“There’s been a massive increase post-Bondi,” Mayor El-Hayek said. “Without a doubt, this is the worst I have ever seen it. There’s a lot of tension out there.”