Australia: In voicemail, man threatens to kill Muslims, burn down mosques

In a 57-second voice message received by Kuraby Mosque in Brisbane’s south on Monday, a man labels Muslims “terrorists”, vows to kill them and burn down their mosques.

On Tuesday October 4th, Queensland police said counter-terrorism detectives arrested a 30-year-old man at his home and charged him with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

Queensland Muslim groups say they are shocked that stronger charges have not been laid and that the man was released on bail.

The president of Queensland Muslims Inc, Habib Jamal, said the voicemail had distressed management, staff and volunteers at the mosque.

Jamal questioned why the voicemail’s violent threats had not been regarded as terrorism and more serious charges considered.

A spokesperson for the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) said the language used in the voicemail mirrored that of white supremacist and racist nationalist movements.

“We have documented a history of undercharging white supremacist activity across Australia over more than a decade,” an AMAN spokesperson said.

“When terrorism law is used for one community but not another, and is used to protect one community but not another, it has a devastating effect.”