Major mosque targeted again as Hanson speech link drawn
PM calls out vile threats to the Muslim community as the holy month of Ramadan begins, condemning One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s ongoing anti-Muslim rhethoric.
Australiaâs shattered Muslim community is again on high alert after a vile threat letter was sent to Sydneyâs largest mosque.
The third threatening letter sent to Lakemba Mosque in the past month made calls to kill or deport Muslims and referenced Australian convicted terrorist and mass murderer Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslims in Christchurch in 2019.
Police have started investigating the threat after taking the letter for forensic examination.
The threat was made just days after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson made universally condemned comments, saying there were âno good Muslimsâ.
The letter appeared to reference her comments, reading âthe only good muslim (sic) is a dead oneâ.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drew a direct line between the senatorâs rhetoric and othersâ violent threats towards Muslims.
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âIt legitimises it,â he told ABC Radio Sydney.
âIt mainstreams it. Itâs outrageous that people just going about commemorating their faith, particularly during the holy month for Muslims of Ramadan, are subject to this sort of intimidation.â
Senator Hanson, who was suspended from the Senate in 2025 for a burqa stunt, also referenced Lakemba and claimed without evidence that people would âfeel unwelcomeâ there.
That jars with an invitation from the local mayor for the senator to attend the Muslim majority suburbâs widely popular Ramadan night markets, which begin on Thursday.
Islamophobic comments combined with a third targeted threat created âvery worrying timesâ, the local mayor said.
âIt is very challenging times for our country and we need to just make sure we look after one another,â Canterbury Bankstown Council mayor Bilal El-Hayek told ABC TV.
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âThis is no time for us to seek division at the moment and, unfortunately, Pauline Hanson loves a stunt and she did exactly that.â
Police said religious sites including the mosque and community events would continue to be patrolled.
Muslim leaders said their community was already reeling after police violently apprehended a group of men who were peacefully praying at an anti-Israel protest on February 9.
NSW Premier Chris Minns used a message welcoming Ramadan to detail why he would not apologise for the policing on the grounds he did not believe officers had deliberately caused offence.
âOver the last week, Iâve had many meetings with leaders of our Muslim community ⌠I wonât lie, theyâve been difficult conversations,â the premier wrote.
âThe Muslim community have told of their sadness and hurt ⌠what we both agreed on is that there are steps we can all take to ensure that it doesnât happen again.â
Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, who was leading the prayer when police intervened, questioned who Mr Minns had met with and said the Muslim community was not a photo opportunity.
âFurther, for the past two years, you have not even pretended to conceal your posture toward this community,â he wrote.
âThe escalation, the rhetoric, and the reflexive defence of force have been consistent. Please do not now pivot to language of innocence when the pattern is plain.â
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