Some Australian Muslims sleeping overnight in mosques after Bondi massacre
A rise in Islamophobic incidents prompts warnings from Muslim organisations that their communities are at risk of "retribution" and "collective punishment" following the mass shooting.
Muslim community members have been sleeping overnight in a mosque in New South Wales to prevent vandalism, amid a reported rise in Islamophobic incidents following the Bondi antisemitic terror attack.
Minto Mosque in south-west Sydney has put in place additional security precautions amid an increase in threats.
One committee member from the mosque, who wished to remain anonymous, told the ABC that the overnight stays were part of increased security measures.
"Many of our community members are fearful, thinking, 'What is going to happen next?'" they said.
The ABC has also seen emails and reports documenting a sharp rise in Islamophobic abuse, vandalism and threats against mosques and Islamic organisations since December 14.
It comes as the Australian National Imams Council said its Action Against Islamophobia (AAI) initiative had recorded an almost 200 per cent increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents since the attack on December 14.
At least nine mosques and Islamic centres had reported vandalism or serious security incidents requiring police involvement, the council said.
"The support line has received distressing calls from victims, parents and employers of Muslim staff,"
it said.
"Callers have reported escalating abuse, threatening online commentary, increased fear for personal safety and growing anxiety that conditions will worsen in the coming days and weeks."
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the rise in attacks as "horrifying".
"So I just want to make it clear that racism will not be tolerated," he said.
"It's not vigilantism. It's not retribution. It's hateful racism in our community.
"We are on high alert and the police are absolutely vigilant for any examples of hate speech in our community."
In a statement to the ABC, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: "All hate is wrong."
"Good Australians should never be blamed for the actions of others simply because of their background or faith," he said.
Targeted beyond NSW
In Melbourne, a prominent Albanian Mosque in the city's inner north suburb Carlton had been targeted for the first time in years after receiving a hateful email, according to its spokesperson.
The ABC has seen the email, which called Islam "a death cult" and demanded the community "get out of Judea Christian society".
Selima Ymer, the president of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Women's Committee, told the ABC she believed that due to its timing the Islamophobic email was a reaction to the Bondi antisemitic terror attack.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens were injured at the Chanukah by the Sea festival on December 14.
"It's worrying, because you wonder where this can lead to," Ms Ymer said, adding that the email had been reported to local police.