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One of Victoria’s largest Islamic youth centres has rejected suggestions it is linked to terrorism after it was revealed the Bourke Street attacker was a regular visitor.
Hume Islamic Youth Centre spokesman Mustafa Abu Yusuf told The Age the centre’s open-door policy meant everyone was welcome and it was working with police as part of what they “have to do”.
“We open the doors to everyone and we do our community duty and services to benefit all Australians and Muslims in particular, especially those kids who have been marginalised for two generations and made to feel like they don’t belong in this great country of ours," he said.
Hume Islamic Youth Centre in Coolaroo. CREDIT
AUL JEFFERS
On Friday Hassan Khalif Shire Ali drove a ute filled with gas cylinders into the middle of Melbourne’s CBD, setting fire to the vehicle before stabbing three people.
Sisto Malaspina, the much-loved co-owner of Pellegrini’s restaurant, was killed in the attack, before Shire Ali was shot dead by police.
Police immediately labelled the attack an act of terror.
But Mr Yusuf said the attack may have been driven by Mr Shire Ali’s mental health issues.
He said “government liaisons” told him Shire Ali cried out “Allah Akbar” as his died - but that did not mean he was a terrorist. Muslims often call out Allah Akbar on their deathbed, as it is “your last chance to repent”, he said.
“It took Victoria Police and the government almost 18 months to come to terms with James Gargasoulas. Yet, within 48 hours of this incident we were notified it was a terrorist incident,” he said.
“These are Islamic symbols, Islamic words, all Muslims say it. That does not mean he’s a terrorist.”
The moment police shot Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali.
Mr Yusuf said he was not aware if Shire Ali had visited the centre. “We don’t get people to put up ID cards. We live in Australia.”
It’s not the first time heat has been on the expansive religious centre that sits in Melbourne's north.
It has previously been connected to a number of foreign fighters and those planning to carry out attacks in Australia.
Craigieburn teenager Jake Bilardi had attended talks at the Coolaroo centre before he travelled to the Middle East to fight for Islamic State.
The 18-year-old went on to blow himself up in a suicide attack in Iraq in 2015.
Shortly after, Christmas Day terror plotter Ibrahim Abbas began recruiting three other men, including his brother and cousin, during frequent trips to the centre.
The Supreme Court last month heard the four men would meet at the centre to use the gym, with jihadi propaganda later found on the men's devices.
Another former worshipper is also believed to have died while fighting for IS in the Middle East.
Ibrahim Abbas arrives at the Supreme Court.CREDITAUL JEFFERS
Mr Yusuf denied any links between the centre and terrorism and said they did everything in their powers to combat extremism.
“Victoria Police have had [Shire Ali] under scrutiny for so long so why are they beating up us? You don’t fund us, help us, you get in the way of us,” he said.
“We’re not condoning terrorism.
“We do a valuable service for the community. Surely the authorities would have dealt with us by now if there was anything [problematic].”
During Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar on Tuesday morning, to pay his respects, he said religious communities must “keep the wolves” from coming in among the sheep.
He said Shire Ali, who was born in Somalia, had been radicalised in Melbourne.
“He wasn’t radicalised in a suburban mall. He wasn’t radicalised in a school room. He was radicalised in a community here in Melbourne,” Mr Morrison said.
Pellegrini's cafe has been reopened on Tuesday morning after the co-owner Sisto Malaspina died from the Bourke Street terror attack. Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with the co-owner Nino Pangrazio. CREDIT:EDDIE JIM
Mr Morrison said he knew Muslim religious leaders who were doing an admirable job of fighting extremism. But other people wanted to “stick their head in the sand”.
“You are not making Australia safer. You are giving people an excuse to look the other way and not deal with the things that are right in front of you,” he said.
But Australia’s Grand Mufti slammed the Prime Minister’s comment, labelling it “serious discrimination”.
The Mufti said his community had played a key part in stopping past attacks and did not need to be reminded of its “duties”.
On Tuesday Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria condemned Friday’s attack as a barbaric, heinous act that was completely against the teachings of Islam.
"As Muslims, we are shocked and saddened by this attack and condemn it in the strongest possible terms," they said.
"[We] calls upon all Muslims to stand up and reject all forms of extremism and terrorism."
"Muslim Imams must speak out against extremism."
Both counter terrorism and homicide detectives are investigating Friday’s attack.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/...r-bourke-street-attacker-20181113-p50fsd.html
Hume Islamic Youth Centre spokesman Mustafa Abu Yusuf told The Age the centre’s open-door policy meant everyone was welcome and it was working with police as part of what they “have to do”.
“We open the doors to everyone and we do our community duty and services to benefit all Australians and Muslims in particular, especially those kids who have been marginalised for two generations and made to feel like they don’t belong in this great country of ours," he said.
Hume Islamic Youth Centre in Coolaroo. CREDIT
AUL JEFFERSOn Friday Hassan Khalif Shire Ali drove a ute filled with gas cylinders into the middle of Melbourne’s CBD, setting fire to the vehicle before stabbing three people.
Sisto Malaspina, the much-loved co-owner of Pellegrini’s restaurant, was killed in the attack, before Shire Ali was shot dead by police.
Police immediately labelled the attack an act of terror.
But Mr Yusuf said the attack may have been driven by Mr Shire Ali’s mental health issues.
He said “government liaisons” told him Shire Ali cried out “Allah Akbar” as his died - but that did not mean he was a terrorist. Muslims often call out Allah Akbar on their deathbed, as it is “your last chance to repent”, he said.
“It took Victoria Police and the government almost 18 months to come to terms with James Gargasoulas. Yet, within 48 hours of this incident we were notified it was a terrorist incident,” he said.
“These are Islamic symbols, Islamic words, all Muslims say it. That does not mean he’s a terrorist.”
The moment police shot Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali.
Mr Yusuf said he was not aware if Shire Ali had visited the centre. “We don’t get people to put up ID cards. We live in Australia.”
It’s not the first time heat has been on the expansive religious centre that sits in Melbourne's north.
It has previously been connected to a number of foreign fighters and those planning to carry out attacks in Australia.
Craigieburn teenager Jake Bilardi had attended talks at the Coolaroo centre before he travelled to the Middle East to fight for Islamic State.
The 18-year-old went on to blow himself up in a suicide attack in Iraq in 2015.
Shortly after, Christmas Day terror plotter Ibrahim Abbas began recruiting three other men, including his brother and cousin, during frequent trips to the centre.
The Supreme Court last month heard the four men would meet at the centre to use the gym, with jihadi propaganda later found on the men's devices.
Another former worshipper is also believed to have died while fighting for IS in the Middle East.
Ibrahim Abbas arrives at the Supreme Court.CREDIT
AUL JEFFERSMr Yusuf denied any links between the centre and terrorism and said they did everything in their powers to combat extremism.
“Victoria Police have had [Shire Ali] under scrutiny for so long so why are they beating up us? You don’t fund us, help us, you get in the way of us,” he said.
“We’re not condoning terrorism.
“We do a valuable service for the community. Surely the authorities would have dealt with us by now if there was anything [problematic].”
During Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar on Tuesday morning, to pay his respects, he said religious communities must “keep the wolves” from coming in among the sheep.
He said Shire Ali, who was born in Somalia, had been radicalised in Melbourne.
“He wasn’t radicalised in a suburban mall. He wasn’t radicalised in a school room. He was radicalised in a community here in Melbourne,” Mr Morrison said.
Pellegrini's cafe has been reopened on Tuesday morning after the co-owner Sisto Malaspina died from the Bourke Street terror attack. Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with the co-owner Nino Pangrazio. CREDIT:EDDIE JIM
Mr Morrison said he knew Muslim religious leaders who were doing an admirable job of fighting extremism. But other people wanted to “stick their head in the sand”.
“You are not making Australia safer. You are giving people an excuse to look the other way and not deal with the things that are right in front of you,” he said.
But Australia’s Grand Mufti slammed the Prime Minister’s comment, labelling it “serious discrimination”.
The Mufti said his community had played a key part in stopping past attacks and did not need to be reminded of its “duties”.
On Tuesday Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria condemned Friday’s attack as a barbaric, heinous act that was completely against the teachings of Islam.
"As Muslims, we are shocked and saddened by this attack and condemn it in the strongest possible terms," they said.
"[We] calls upon all Muslims to stand up and reject all forms of extremism and terrorism."
"Muslim Imams must speak out against extremism."
Both counter terrorism and homicide detectives are investigating Friday’s attack.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/...r-bourke-street-attacker-20181113-p50fsd.html
