Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Condemns Threat Against Lakemba Mosque, Warns of Rising Islamophobia

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Condemns Threat Against Lakemba Mosque, Warns of Rising Islamophobia
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The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) has condemned a hate-laden threat targeting Lakemba Mosque earlier this week, expressing full solidarity with the Lebanese Muslim Association and warning of a growing pattern of anti-Muslim hostility in Australia.

More details in the following report:

In a statement, the federation described the incident as a serious indicator of escalating Islamophobic attacks, noting that individuals, institutions, and Muslim communities across the country have faced an increasing number of threats and hostile rhetoric in recent weeks. AFIC said attitudes once considered marginal have become increasingly overt, fueled in part by a permissive political and media environment that has contributed to the normalization of hate speech.

The federation’s president said the threat against Lakemba Mosque was not an isolated incident but the result of years of unchecked inflammatory rhetoric and racism, alongside what he described as repeated failures by successive governments to address anti-Muslim hatred in a meaningful way. He called for decisive action, including tangible legal protections and responsible political leadership.

AFIC reiterated its support for the Lebanese Muslim Association’s call for urgent legislation to protect Australians of all faiths and backgrounds from defamation, incitement, and abuse. It also urged an end to what it described as exclusionary politicization, suggestive media messaging, and selective condemnation that prioritizes the security of some communities over others.

The federation warned that continued silence from political leaders, or reliance on general calls for “unity” without concrete measures, was no longer acceptable, arguing that tolerance of hate speech leaves Muslim communities increasingly vulnerable.

AFIC called on all levels of government to formally acknowledge the rise in Islamophobia and to enact strong laws criminalizing religious incitement on par with existing protections based on race and ethnicity. It also urged authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to threats and harassment targeting religious communities.

The statement concluded that Muslims in Australia are not seeking special treatment but equal protection under the law, pointing to recent incidents, including an attack on an imam in Victoria and threats against mosques and schools, as evidence that symbolic gestures are no longer sufficient.