The threat referencing the massacre in Christchurch was left on the Instagram page of the Australian Islamic House Masjid.
The threat referencing the massacre in Christchurch was left on the Instagram page of the Australian Islamic House Masjid.
By Sally Rawsthorne and Amber Schultz
Updated March 4, 2025 — 6.08pmfirst published at 4.28pm
A western Sydney mosque has been targeted with threats of a mass shooting referring to the Christchurch massacre, sparking a major police investigation.
A social media user threatened to “christ church 2.0” the newly opened Australian Islamic House Masjid in Edmondson Park. The mosque contacted police on Tuesday after finding the post left by a user named bazza08 on its Instagram page.
In March 2019, Australian Brenton Tarrant shot dead 59 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, injuring more than 80 others. It was the deadliest shooting in New Zealand’s history.
NSW Police confirmed the threat came from a person interstate and said there are no ongoing threats to the community.
“Increased taskings will be conducted by officers as part of Strike Force Pearl,” a spokesperson said.
“The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police.”
Strike Force Pearl was established last year to investigate a spate of antisemitic incidents across Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack threat “abhorrent”.
“The authorities have my full support as they investigate this matter. Those responsible must face the full force of the law,” he said.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns said the threat was “very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan”.
“The NSW government and NSW Police are taking this very seriously. Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated.”
Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, prayer and reflection, began on Friday night, bringing larger crowds than usual to Sydney’s Islamic centres.
The mosque on Tuesday it had decided to go ahead with nightly prayers “after police consultation and reassurance of an increased police presence”.
“We are profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness,” Australian Islamic House president Mazhar Hadid said.
“Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country.
“We call on the authorities to treat this matter with the highest urgency and to ensure that all places of worship are safeguarded against such acts of hatred and violence. We also urge the public to remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry.”
The Alliance of Australians for Muslims and The Australian National Imams Council called the threat “chilling”.
“This threat is both disturbing and heartbreaking, shaking the Muslim community to its core and evoking painful memories of the tragic and brutal Christchurch massacre,” their joint statement read.
“As the sixth anniversary of this unspeakable act approaches, the shadow of this violence now looms even larger over Sydney, heightening fears of further harm and underscoring the urgent need for robust protection of Muslim places of worship and communities across the nation.”
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper described the threat to worshippers as “heinous” and “incredibly concerning”.
“Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society. Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community.”
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Sally Rawsthorne is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via Twitter or email.
Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via Twitter or email.
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