Australia Condemns Threats Against Mosque Worshippers in Queensland

(MENAFN) Widespread condemnation followed Monday after worshippers at a mosque in northeastern Queensland were reportedly threatened in an incident that raised concerns over religious safety and rising hate-driven behavior.

Local lawmaker Bisma Asif said in a social media post that a man threatened to shoot worshippers at the Bald Hills Mosque using an AK-47 on Sunday. She also noted that the same mosque had previously been vandalized in December with a swastika and anti-Muslim graffiti.

"A place of worship should be a place of peace," Asif said.

"No one – regardless of their faith – should fear for their safety when they gather to pray," she added, while also blaming political figures “seeking to use racial division to gain votes, and those too weak to call it out,” for what she described as a broader rise in racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in Australia in recent years.

According to reports, worshippers confronted and chased the man away after he entered the mosque and claimed he had an AK-47 in a vehicle outside.

Police said no injuries were reported and the suspect fled the scene.

Following an investigation, authorities later charged a 33-year-old man from Mitchelton with one count of creating a public nuisance and one count of disturbing a place of worship.

MENAFN12052026000045017640ID1111100560