Mohammed Omran’s son Ayman dies as ‘aid volunteer’ in Syria

The son of the controversial ­Melbourne-based Islamic leader Mohammed Omran has died in Syria.

The son of the controversial ­Melbourne-based Islamic leader Mohammed Omran has died in Syria.

A statement issued by Sheik Omran’s Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah Association denied that Ayman Omran was in the war-torn country as a foreign fighter, claiming he was there only to provide “humanitarian aid”.

“It is with deep sorrow and sincere regret we confirm the sad news of our beloved brother Ayman Omran has passed away,” the association’s vice-president, Sheik Kalid Issa, said. “Ayman travelled as a volunteer to provide humanitarian aid, an act consistent with his soft heartedness and caring demeanour.”

It is believed Ayman Omran, thought to be in his 20s, died in recent days but it is unclear how he died or which part of the war-torn country he was in. It is unlawful to travel to parts of Syria and some Australians who have claimed to travel there for humanitarian reasons have actually gone to fight.

Sheik Issa said the ASWJ’s policy on travelling “to the highly volatile, Syrian war zone remains unabated and the area is to be avoided”.

“All Muslims, together with well-wishing members of the wider Australian community and government send their condolences to our beloved Sheikhe Abu Ayman (Sheik Omran) and the family of Ayman at this difficult time.”

Sheik Omran has denounced Islamic State and has publicly ­assumed a more moderate stance than during the 2000s when he was considered the spiritual leader of a network of accused terrorists and extremists.

Sheik Omran once forged a relationship with the late Abdullah Sungkar, founder of Jemaah Islamiah, which carried out the two Bali bombings, and was the chosen sheik of the hardline queen of Australian jihad, Rabiyah Hutchison, whose two sons were later charged with terror offences in Yemen.

While living in Perth, Sheik Omran forged friendships with the Ayub brothers, Abdul Rahman and Abdul Rahim, who set up JI’s Australian base.

Harun Mehicevic, the head of the now disbanded Al Furqan Islamic Centre in Melbourne, which has spawned several terrorists, once prayed at Sheik Omran’s Brunswick mosque as did the country’s most notorious terrorist, Abdul Nacer Benbrika. Both men later broke from Shiek Omran’s prayer group to set up their own more radical groups.

Sheik Omran has consistently denied any involvement in terrorism and says he staunchly opposes it. He has said he is not responsible for the actions of others and should not be found guilty by association. He has become more strident in his anti-extremist messages in recent years.