‘Jihad is the solution’: cops probe preacher comments
An investigation is underway into an Islamic preacher who warned the Australian government was “pushing Muslims into a corner” over the conflict in Gaza, adding that jihad was the “solution”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns
Weeks after the nation’s spy chief warned against the risks of divisive rhetoric, the man – identified in a video as “Brother Ismail” – accused the government of “creating a threat to the national security system”.
In a sermon delivered at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in southwest Sydney, the man was filmed calling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a hypocrite and comparing the Hamas attack on Israel to Indigenous Australians’ response to colonisation.
“By labelling Hamas as terrorists, by saying Israel has the right to defend itself, you are pushing Muslims into a corner,” he told the crowd in a clip posted on the religious centre’s YouTube account on October 28.
The man urged Australia’s leaders to “go back and look at your dark history before labelling Muslims as terrorists” adding the Islamic community would not be silenced over events in the Middle East.
“The youth is now boiling with emotions and rage towards what is happening to their brothers and sisters in Palestine,” he said.
“There is no other way to defend Muslims … they are looking forward to joining the mujahideen.”
He also warned attendees “you don’t want to mess with Muslims” before daring the government to deport him for his comments.
“If the Australian government likes it or not, if the ASIO likes it or not, if they want to deport me from Australia or not, the jihad is the solution for the ummah (community),” he said.
NSW Police said they were looking at the Bankstown centre’s video and an investigation was under way.
Premier Chris Minns on Monday said he was reluctant to comment on the video’s content while an inquiry was taking place, but he added there were strict rules when it came to racial vilification or incitement to violence in NSW.
“Everyone’s got to be aware of it, because (there’s) going to be zero tolerance shown by NSW Police as we manage complex international events,” he told reporters.
Australia’s domestic spy chief previously condemned divisive rhetoric for inflaming community tensions over the Middle East conflict.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess last month warned “words matter” and pointed out the direct links between divisive language and community hostility.
“The likelihood of opportunistic violence remains real, particularly if tensions protest and rhetoric increase,” he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also cautioned Australia’s political and community leaders to end disturbing rhetoric about the Middle East conflict.
AAP
