Christchurch shooting: Police presence increased at Victorian mosques
Police patrols have been increased at mosques and Islamic community events in Victoria after the deadly shooting in Christchurch on Friday, as faith leaders condemned the attack.
A police spokeswoman said there was no increased threat to Muslims in Victoria, but urged "members of the public to stay vigilant and to come forward with information they have". The increased police presence would continue at the weekend, Victoria Police said.
A spokesperson for the Islamic Council of Victoria confirmed there had been a visible police presence at some Victorian mosques for Friday prayers, with some officers entering mosques during prayer ceremonies.
The state's peak Islamic organisation said it had been in close contact with police since the shooting. Police advised Islamic leaders to urge worshippers to be "extra vigilant and aware".
The imam of the Elsedeaq Mosque in Heidelberg, in Melbourne's north-east, confirmed that officers had patrolled Friday prayers, and addressed worshippers at the conclusion of formalities.
"I asked the officer to speak, and he spoke about the duty of care police have to ensure we are safe in our place of worship," said Imam Alaa El Zokm.
"We're very grateful for the police and have a fantastic relationship with them."
Twenty-one Victorian mosques will hold their public open days on Sunday, at which police will be out in force.
Adel Salman, a spokesman for the Islamic Council of Victoria, condemned the attack, saying it "clearly targeted Muslims on their holiest day of the week".
"We don't have all the facts yet, but this is horrific, truly horrific. On the most solemn occasion, Friday prayers, for this to happen is just tragic."
The president of Muslims Australia (also known as the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils), Dr Rateb Jneid, said: "This act of terror on innocent worshippers is an atrocity and we grieve with the victims and their families.
"This massacre today is a product of the ever-increasing Islamophobia and marginalisation of Muslims and is a reminder to all concerned, including political leaders and media commentators, of the horrific consequences that an atmosphere of hate and division can lead to."
The Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, said: "The sickening evil perpetrated in Christchurch today has shaken our friends across the Tasman. With all people of good will, my heart goes out to the victims and their families reeling at this atrocity against them.
''I condemn this ideological hatred as an entirely evil action against humanity. As a Christian, I am holding all the people of New Zealand – but especially our Muslim brothers and sisters of Christchurch – in prayerful support.''
Rabbi Shmueli Feldman, of the Rabbinical Council of Australia and New Zealand, said "an attack at a place of worship, indiscriminately targeting civilians, is just pure evil".
"People of all faith and persuasions, let us join together, in ensuring that the lives of the victims live on,'' Rabbi Feldman said. ''We do this by continuing the unity being displayed in fighting hate and by the enormous outpouring of love and prayer, in our own homes, respective places of worship and communities."