Tony Abbott says Islamic State appear to have links to Greenacre Islamic prayer hall shooting

THE Prime Minister has confirmed fears among the Muslim community that a shooting in Sydney yesterday that targeted an Islamic prayer centre appeared to have links to Islamic State.

IS behind mosque shooting: Abbott

THE Prime Minister has confirmed fears among the Muslim community that a shooting in Sydney yesterday that targeted an Islamic prayer centre appeared to have links to Islamic State.

Fears of revenge attacks were realised yesterday when a religious leader was shot in the face in an apparent drive-by shooting outside an Islamic prayer centre a around 1am on Monday.

MORE: Detectives investigate internal dispute after shooting

Rasoul Al Mousawi, a 47-year-old prayer leader, received pellet wounds to his face and shoulder and had to go emergency surgery after shots were fired outside the Husainiyah Nabi Akram centre in Greenacre.

Police visit the prayer hall on Monday. Pic: John Grainger

Worshippers said threats about IS had been made during the night of the shooting, alleging apparent IS supporters yelled taunts from the vehicle before the assault.

“They drive past, they stop here, they make threats ‘ISIS lives forever’ this and that,” one witness told ABC Radio.

Muslim leaders have spoken of fears of revenge attacks but a legitimate link to the “death cult” were doubted but Tony Abbott this morning said there was a link.

“It seems there is an ISIL death cult influence in this shooting in Sydney in the last 24 hours or so,” he said addressing media in Sydney on Tuesday.

“The important thing is for all of us to absolutely reject this death cult.

“The ISIL death cult is against cult, against Islam and against our common humanity.”

Shooting victim Rasoul Al Mousawi.

Tensions are fierce between IS supporters, who are Sunni Muslims, and their rival Shiites.

Local activist Jamal Daoud said he had heard talk of revenge attacks being planned.

“This is very dangerous,” he said.

“It’s a warning something bigger could happen.” Mr Daoud, of the Social Justice Network, said the prayer hall had been targeted before but says worshippers will not be deterred.

“This will scare people, but people will still go,” he said.