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A security guard stands outside the Lakemba Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque as worshippers arrive for Friday prayers, following an increased security presence after a fatal mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach on December 14 in Sydney, Australia. — Reuters/File
Australian authorities announced on Thursday they are investigating after a threatening letter was sent to the country’s largest mosque, marking the third such incident leading into Ramadan. The letter, delivered to Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney on Wednesday, featured an illustration of a pig and a warning to eliminate the “Muslim race,” according to local media reports.
Law enforcement officials have collected the letter for forensic analysis and plan to continue patrols around religious sites—including the mosque—and at community events. This recent threat comes just weeks after a similar message was mailed to the mosque, depicting Muslims inside a burning mosque.
In January, police arrested and charged a 70-year-old man in connection with a third threatening letter sent to the mosque’s staff. The Lebanese Muslim Association, which manages the mosque, told ABC that they have reached out to the government requesting additional funding for extra security personnel and surveillance cameras.
During Ramadan, the mosque anticipates nightly attendance of about 5,000 people. Over 60% of the residents in Lakemba identify as Muslim, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Canterbury-Bankstown Council Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the community is feeling intensively “anxious.” He mentioned hearing from residents who are now hesitant to send their children to prayer services this Ramadan due to fears of potential incidents at local mosques.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the recent threats, calling them “outrageous” and emphasizing that it is unacceptable for individuals to be intimidated while practicing their faith, especially during Ramadan. He stressed the importance of lowering the tone of political dialogue in the country.
Since late 2023, anti-Muslim sentiment has been on the rise in Australia, particularly following the Gaza War, according to a government-commissioned report. The Islamophobia Register Australia noted a 740% increase in reports after the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting, where authorities allege two gunmen inspired by Daesh killed 15 people attending a Jewish holiday celebration.
El-Hayek stated, “The tension is unprecedented. It’s the worst I’ve seen.”
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