Adelaide Muslims worry about mosque safety amid growing Islamophobia

The local Muslim community are fearful of rising Islamophobia and increasingly worried about their safety, as South Australian leaders express their support to the community.

• Australian terror accused Brenton Tarrant faces New Zealand court
• Families share faces of NZ victims

The local Muslim community are fearful of rising Islamophobia and increasingly worried about their safety, as South Australian leaders express their support to the community.

Premier Steven Marshall alongside Adelaide Deputy Lord Mayor Houssam Abiad lowered the flags at Victoria Square to half-mast following the terrorist shooting that killed 49 worshippers in Adelaide’s sister city Christchurch on Friday.

Islamic Society of South Australia president Ahmed Zreika said the time has come for authorities to take Islamophobia and threats against Muslims seriously.

Islamic Society of SA president Ahmed Zreika with flowers left at the Marion Mosque. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

A message attached alongside flowers left at the Marion Mosque, showing support for the Muslim community. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

He said he received messages from local worshippers to strengthen security at the Marion mosque, prompting plans to speak with police and the government.

“It’s really raised our concerns, particularly about security, but we are still opening our doors to the mosque. It’s not going to stop us from opening our doors,” he said.

“(The government) has to start counter Islamophobia … it’s not freedom of speech, look 49 people has been killed.”

Mr Zreika said the Christchurch tragedy is “horrible” and the local community are “living in shock”.

“What happened yesterday is terrible … it’s not going to stop,” he said.

“This is not one individual. If they think this individual don’t have supporters, they are living in a dream.”

Flowers and condolences messages have been left by mourners at the Adelaide Mosque and Marion Mosque.

A candlelight vigil and prayer will be open to the public at Marion Mosque on Sunday 5.30pm.

The Australian flag in Victoria Square is lowered. Picture Brenton Edwards/AAP

The Adelaide deputy lord mayor said the council will support the SA Muslim community at this difficult time.

“The Muslim community in South Australia is really shocked and reeling after those events … those events could have easily happened anywhere in the world and it impacts us close to the heart,” Mr Abiad said.

“There is definitely no fear, there is hope for a better future.

“We are battling a global monster and we all need to defeat it.”

Mr Abiad, who moved to Australia when he was 19, condemned Senator Fraser Anning’s comments, which blamed the shooting on Muslim immigration to New Zealand.

“Senator Anning’s comments have no place in Australia democracy, I think we should all shy away from using free speech to create hatemongering within our society,” he said.

Premier Steven Marshall lowers the Australian flag in Victoria Square. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

Mr Marshall said yesterday’s events were “chilling” and “disturbing”.

“It was a dark day for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand but it was a dark day for the world,” he said.

“It’s very important we do everything we can to support those who are affected in Christchurch but also people within our Muslim community in South Australia and send a very strong message that they are welcomed here, they are part of our society and we completely reject any acts of violence or terror against anybody in our society.”