Funds being raised for multimillion dollar Islamic ‘sanctuary’ in Mickleham

Money is being raised for a $6.9m Islamic “sanctuary” in the northern Melbourne suburb of Mickleham — which would include a mosque, Muslim schools, aged care and sports facilities.

There are plans for a multimillion dollar Muslim development in Melbourne's north.

Money is being raised for a multimillion-dollar Islamic “sanctuary” in the Melbourne suburb of Mickleham which would include a mosque, Muslim schools, aged care and sports facilities.

Sheik Abu Hamza, also known as Samir Mohtadi, is spearheading fundraising for the $6.9m religious development on a 12-hectare site through his charity IISNA WorldAid.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in our community’s history. The acquisition of 30+ acres in Mickleham isn’t just about land – it’s about securing our children’s future and establishing a legacy that will serve generations to come,” the ILLSNA (Islamic Information and Services Network of Australasia) website stated on Monday night.

“We’ve already secured half the required amount … demonstrating our community’s commitment and capability. Now, we need just 1000 people to contribute $3,500 each to complete this historic project.”

Funds are flowing in for the proposed ‘sanctuary’.

In a hate-fuelled sermon delivered at the Australian Bosnian Islamic Centre in Melbourne’s west last week Samir Mohtadi prayed for victory for “our mujahideen (fighters) in Palestine” and called on Allah to “cast terror into the hearts of the Zionists”.

And earlier this year the Herald Sun reported the prominent Victorian Muslim leader had called former Liberal leader Peter Dutton a “filthy human being” and warned he would “throw” him out of his mosque if he tried to visit in the lead up to the federal election.

In a rant posted to social media Samir Mohtadi ripped into Mr Dutton over his “pro-Zionist” stance amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The Islamic Information and Services Network of Australia’s Samir Mohtadi.

An image used to promote the plan.

“You’re not welcome here,” he said. “I’ll actually literally grab you and throw you out, you filthy human being.”

The religious leader, who also called Mr Dutton a “racist”, had previously posted radical videos calling for the eradication of Israel.

“We don’t want a two state solution,” he told his followers.

“There’s only one state, one state, which is the Islamic Palestinian state.

“We have to eliminate the terrorist Zionists.”

He told News Corp on Monday that he defended his right to express his opinions on Zionism while living in a “democratic country”.

Originally published as Funds being raised for multimillion dollar Islamic ‘sanctuary’ in Mickleham