WA Teenager Charged After Terror Threat To Sydney Mosque

A teenager in Western Australia has been arrested after making an alleged terror threat on a Sydney mosque’s social media account.

The 16-year-old left a comment on the Instagram account of The Australian Islamic House, saying he was “going to christ church 2.0 this joint”, referencing the 2019 mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques, in which an Australian white supremacist murdered 51 Muslims.

The Edmondson Park mosque reported the threat to police on Tuesday evening, with the teenager being arrested in Eaton, WA, shortly afterwards.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, police said the teen had been charged with creating a false impression about the existence of threats or danger.

He was granted bail and is due to appear in a court in Bunbury, south of Perth, next month.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said a police investigation was underway.

“Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.”

NSW Police will be conducting “increased taskings” as part of Strike Force Pearl.

“We take this threat seriously,” said President of the AIH, Mazhar Hadid, in a statement on Tuesday night. “Our community deserves to feel safe, and we urge authorities to act swiftly. We also call on the public to stand united against Islamophobia and hate.”

The mosque, which opened for the first time at the start of Ramadan over the weekend, has said nightly Ramadan prayers will continue, with an increased police presence.

“A deliberate act of terror”

The Alliance of Australian Muslims and the Australian National Imams Council issued a joint statement calling for the government and law enforcement to do more to combat Islamophobia.

They also drew attention to the timing of the threat, which was made only days before the sixth anniversary of the Christchurch shootings on March 15, and at the beginning of Ramadan.

“To threaten a mosque during this blessed month, when worshippers are vulnerable, is not just an attack on individuals—it’s a deliberate act of terror targeting religious freedom and peace, amplified by its timing,” the groups wrote.

“These vile threats come amidst a disturbing rise in violent Islamophobic attacks, which are contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the person responsible for the threat should face the full force of the law.

“There is no place for this in Australia … racism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.

“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.”