Wakeley Church stabber praised overseas and in social media audio

Disturbing audio praising the actions of the teen boy alleged to have stabbed a Christian Bishop — claiming he had “courage” and “guts” — is circulating on social media | LISTEN

Audio is circulating on social media praising the actions of the teen boy alleged to have stabbed a Christian Bishop — claiming he had “courage” and “guts” and that “we should all strive to be like him” — sparking outrage

Posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the recording from an Australian man with an Arabic accent appears to even claim the victim, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, “deserves to get slaughtered”.

It comes as overseas radical Islamists also lavished praise on the alleged attack at the Assyrian Christian Church in Wakeley in Sydney’s southwest on Monday night.

In the audio of the recording, the unidentified man, who has a heavy accent and speaks in both English and Arabic, states:

“This kid at 15, 16 years old had the, had the … courage to go and do what he done.

Overseas radical Islamic social media users are praising the actions of the teen boy accused of stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Sydney, this was published on X on 16 April. Photo: Twitter

The caption translates "I swear to God you are a hero, Your smile smashed them more than your knife". Photo: Twitter

“And, at the end of the day, say what youse want … but that little kid is a soldier …

“The guts he had to do what he done.

“No man nowadays has an ounce of what he has.

“We should all strive to be like this kid and have (unintelligible).

“I’m jealous. Jealous. I woke up myself today and a spat on myself.

“I’ll be honest with you, at the end of the day, anyone that talks (unintelligible) prophet … deserves to get slaughtered, bashed whatever you want to call it.”

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory strongly condemned the recording, and also raised concerns about overseas Islamist radicals who have overnight posted the accused teen’s image and praised the incident on X.

“It’s disgraceful that there are people who would praise a brutal Islamist terrorist stabbing on an innocent religious leader,” he said.

“Australia has a serious and growing problem with Islamic extremism and we fear the government is not up to the task of protecting Australians.

“This attack is likely to provide further inspiration to potential terrorists in Australia and overseas.

“The government must crack down on radical imams spreading hate in our suburbs as well as the pro-terrorist rallies that have stained our streets for the past six months.”

The overseas X posting shows an image of the accused 16-year-old boy alongside Arabic writing, which translates to:

“I swear to God you are a hero, Your smile smashed them more than your knife.”

The Bishop’s sermon was being livestreamed when the attack occurred. Picture: Supplied

Some influential Muslim leaders in Australia criticised stabbing victim Bishop Emmanuel over comments he has previously made, which they claim insulted their religion.

The Australian Muslim social media page stated: “He’s been slandering our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. We Muslims will never ever slander Jesus, peace be upon him.”

‘AGAINST THE LAW’

Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto the terrorist stabbing of a Christian leader was absolutely reprehensible, “and so too is anyone who praises the attack”.

“It is against Australian law to praise terrorism. We are sure the Australian Federal Police will be looking closely at that audio.”

But the United Muslims of Australia released a statement condemning the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and said they were praying for him and the other victims’ recovery.

The statement reads “the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Australian Muslim community unequivocally condemn tonight’s attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel while delivering a mass at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney’s west.”

“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders.”

A meeting of faith leaders was also held on Tuesday with the NSW government — which saw representatives of the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, Buddhist Council of NSW, Australian National Imams Council, Hindu Council of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and others come together.

A joint statement released after the meeting reads “as faith leaders representing the diverse religious communities of New South Wales, we stand united against all forms of hate and violence.”

The statement also said that police “should never be attacked for keeping our communities safe.”

Imam Mohammad Hadi from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said just as his organisation strongly condemned the stabbing, they also strongly condemned any praise of it as “absolute nonsense and anathema to religion”.

“It has nothing to do with Islam, these ideas have nothing to do with any religion whatsoever,” he said.

“I would advise such people to read up about Islam properly and get educated, clearly the teachings of Islam in no way coincide with such absurd behaviour.”

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