Queensland police have charged a 33-year-old man with disturbing a place of worship and creating a public nuisance after he allegedly threatened Muslim worshippers at a Brisbane mosque, falsely claiming to have a firearm.
Incident at Masjid Taqwa
The alleged incident occurred at approximately 10:46 a.m. on Sunday at the Masjid Taqwa mosque in Bald Hills, Brisbane. According to the Australian National Imams Council, the man entered the mosque and threatened worshippers who were praying, claiming to have an AK-47 assault rifle in his vehicle outside.
The Guardian reports that the man was not actually armed. He was reportedly alerted to the presence of worshippers by a large number of shoes left outside the building.
Police Response and Charges
Queensland police confirmed that no one was physically injured during the incident. The man fled the scene before police arrived. On Monday, authorities charged him with disturbing a place of worship and creating a public nuisance. He is scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 22.
A police spokesperson stated that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Condemnation from Islamic Leaders
The Australian National Imams Council described the alleged incident as "deeply disturbing" and "a grave violation of the sanctity, safety, and security of a place of worship." Council President Imam Shadi Alsuleiman emphasized that "places of worship must remain sanctuaries of peace, reflection, and safety. Any act of intimidation, threats, or hatred directed towards worshippers is utterly unacceptable, unequivocally condemned, and must be treated with the utmost seriousness."
The council also noted that the mosque has previously been targeted with anti-Muslim graffiti, Nazi symbols, and Islamophobic abuse. In two separate unrelated incidents last September, the Islamic College of Brisbane allegedly received a threatening email, and the Arundel mosque on the Gold Coast was subject to an alleged bomb hoax.
Rising Anti-Muslim Sentiment
Imam Shadi expressed concern that repeated incidents indicate escalating hostility faced by Muslim communities across Australia. He attributed the rise in Islamophobia to "divisive narratives and rhetoric promoted by sections of the media and certain political figures, contributing to fear, hostility, and the marginalisation of Muslim communities across Australia."
"The safety and sense of security of the Muslim community have been undermined, and there is growing concern about the increasing normalisation of anti-Muslim sentiment, threats, intimidation, and acts of hatred directed towards Australian Muslims and their places of worship," Imam Shadi added.
Australia's peak Islamic body has strongly condemned the growing anti-Muslim sentiment, calling for greater protection of places of worship and an end to hate-fueled intimidation.
