A disturbing act of vandalism was caught on CCTV, showing a perpetrator defacing a Brisbane mosque with symbols of hate. The footage captures a masked individual sprinting towards the Bald Hills Mosque and committing the graffiti late Wednesday night.
Among the offensive messages and slogans left for worshippers to find the following morning was a swastika, a symbol that deeply shocked and saddened the local community.
“We denounce all forms of violence, racism, and hatred, just as we stand against recent acts of terror,” stated Imam Salik, expressing the community’s stance.
As mosque members departed the premises this afternoon, they expressed their disappointment and resolve.
“The malevolence around us aims solely to sow division, fostering more hatred. Love is the only antidote,” remarked Greg McIntosh, a member of the mosque.
“The evil that exists around us purely to spread division and it breeds more hate and the only answer is love,” mosque member Greg McIntosh said.
One mosque member extended an olive branch to the vandal today.
“Mate come out, ask questions, let’s hang out, kebabs on me,” Khaled Akbery said.
Following the vandalism, police have increased patrols of the area and a mobile police van was set up at a mosque gathering today.
“Queensland and Australia is a multicultural society, and there is no tolerance for any threats or persecution on any culture or religion,” Queensland Police detective inspector Chris Toohey said.
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja shared the vandalism on Instagram, with a message for his followers.
“Don’t let the haters divide us,” he wrote.
Sandgate MP Bisma Asif also condemned the act of hate.
“This comes on the back of 15 innocent people who have lost their lives, at the hands of extremists,” she said.
“There is no room for this kind of division or hatred in our community.
“My message to our local community is we must stand together at these times of grief.
“A lot of people are hurting right now.
“We need to come together rather than tear each other apart, and there is no room for racism, racial vilification, or any forms of discrimination.”
Boards have since been secured over the graffiti.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information is asked to contact police.
