Arabic version: مسجد لاكمبا يتلقى الرسالة التهديدية الرابعة خلال ستة أسابيع

Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque has received another threatening letter, the fourth in six weeks, raising concerns within the community. This latest letter, a three-page document, specifically names Gamel Kheir, the secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, marking the first time a letter has been personalized in this manner. According to ABC News, Kheir described the letter as an “essay of condemnation,” attacking his comments regarding rising hatred and bigotry.

While the letter did not contain specific threats of violence, it included vile language and sentiments, such as urging Kheir to “f*** off back to your homeland.” Previous letters sent to the mosque included drawings of a mosque on fire, threats against Middle Eastern and First Nations communities, and a threat to kill the “Muslim race.” A 70-year-old man was charged with threatening grievous bodily harm related to one of the incidents.

The increasing frequency of these threats has heightened fears within the community, especially with the upcoming Eid celebrations, which are expected to attract around 40,000 attendees in Lakemba. Kheir has reported the latest letter to the police, hoping to identify whether the threats are coming from the same individual or group.

In response to the ongoing threats, NSW Police have enhanced security measures around the mosque and other religious sites. Officers are conducting patrols as part of Operation Shelter, a program initiated following the Bondi Beach terror attack. Kheir has expressed gratitude for the police’s increased presence but voiced concerns about the normalization of such security measures in everyday life.

He emphasized the importance of addressing bigotry and racism directly to prevent further escalation of these threats. Kheir fears that without identifying the perpetrators, the cycle of intimidation will continue, potentially leading to more severe actions in the future.