11/05/2026
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) strongly condemns the deeply disturbing incident at Masjid Taqwa in Bald Hills, Brisbane, on Sunday, where worshippers were threatened by a man who entered the mosque and claimed to have an AK-47 firearm in his vehicle outside.
This incident has caused significant distress within the local Muslim community and represents a grave violation of the sanctity, safety, and security of a place of worship. No Australian should ever feel unsafe, threatened, or intimidated while attending their place of worship. “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,” said Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, President of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC).
Imam Shadi further noted that the concerning rise in Islamophobia has, in part, been fuelled by 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 said.
This alarming incident is particularly concerning given Masjid Taqwa was previously targeted in December in a vile act of vandalism involving anti-Muslim graffiti, N**i symbols, and explicit Islamophobic abuse. The recurrence of such incidents raises serious concerns about the escalating hostility faced by Muslim communities across the country.
This latest event adds to a troubling pattern of anti-Muslim incidents nationwide, including threats against mosques, disruptions to religious gatherings, and hateful abuse directed at Muslim Australians.
“Muslim Australians deserve the same protection, safety, and sense of belonging as every other member of our society. There must be a clear and united commitment to confronting hatred, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that Islamophobia is neither tolerated nor normalised,” Imam Shadi added.
ANIC acknowledges the prompt response by Queensland Police and notes that charges have been laid in relation to this matter. We trust that the justice system will deal with the matter appropriately and expect that this alleged offending be treated with the level of seriousness consistent with hate crime offences.
We call upon all levels of government, law enforcement agencies, media institutions, and community leaders to take meaningful action to address the growing threat of Islamophobia, strengthen protections for places of worship, and ensure that all Australians can practise their faith free from fear, intimidation, or violence.
