Sickening threat sparks mass shooting panic in Sydney - as major counter-terror operation is launched
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A major counter-terrorism operation has been launched after Sydney’s newest mosque received a mass-shooting threat.

Police attended the Australian Islamic House Masjid in Edmondson Park in south-west Sydney on Tuesday after the mosque ‘immediately’ reported an threat posted on its Instagram page.

‘I’m about to christ church [sic] 2.0 this join[t]’ the comment read.

The statement appeared to reference to the Al-Noor Mosque massacre in New Zealand on March 15, 2019, where Australian Brenton Tarrant shot dead 51 innocent worshippers.

Australian Islamic House Masjid just opened it doors last Friday in time for the start of Ramadan. 

President Mazhar Hadid said the mosque was ‘profoundly concerned’ by the threat but will continue to host nightly prayers during Ramadan.

‘We are profoundly concerned by this threat and take it with the utmost seriousness,’ Mr Hadid said in a statement.

‘Our community deserves to feel safe and protected, just like any other citizen of this country. 

The Australian Islamic House Masjid (pictured) alerted police to an online threat allegedly made on its social media page just four days after it opened its doors

The Australian Islamic House Masjid (pictured) alerted police to an online threat allegedly made on its social media page just four days after it opened its doors

‘We call on the authorities to treat this matter with the highest urgency and to ensure that all places of worship are safeguarded against such acts of hatred and violence.

‘We also urge the public to remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry.’

The mosque will continue to host nightly prayers during Ramadan following consultation with police.

Strike Force Pearl officers will increase their presence in the vicinity to ensure the safety of parishioners.

The comment appeared under a post celebrating the mosque opening its doors last Friday after ‘decades in the making’. 

The same user wrote other comments under the same post instructing worshippers to ‘leave the country’.

NSW Police confirmed it’s taking the alleged threat very seriously. 

‘There are no ongoing threats to the community and initial inquiries revealed the source of the threat was interstate,’ a statement read.

The mosque has urged the public to 'remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry'

The mosque has urged the public to ‘remain vigilant and to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry’

‘Increased taskings will be conducted by officers as part of Strike Force Pearl.’

NSW Premier Chris Minns said that anybody caught making racist threats would be met with the ‘full force of the law’.

‘This is very distressing, particularly as Muslims right across the state are participating in prayer during the month of Ramadan,’ he said.

‘The NSW government and NSW Police are taking this very seriously.

‘Racist threats and Islamophobia will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.’

Multicultural minister Steve Kamper added: ‘This threat on our Muslim brothers and sisters is incredibly concerning. 

The alleged threat appeared to reference to the Al-Noor Mosque massacre in New Zealand on March 15, 2019, where Australian Brenton Tarrant shot dead 51 innocent worshippers. Pictured are emergency responders at the scene

The alleged threat appeared to reference to the Al-Noor Mosque massacre in New Zealand on March 15, 2019, where Australian Brenton Tarrant shot dead 51 innocent worshippers. Pictured are emergency responders at the scene

‘Acts designed to intimidate and divide have no place in our society. Importantly, places of worship should always be a safe haven for our community.

‘No matter your ethnicity, religion, or country of birth, we are all bound – first and foremost – by our common commitment to each other as Australians.

‘I unequivocally condemn Islamophobia in all its forms.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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