MEMBERS of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community are moving on after a break-in at their place of worship, with Premier Daniel Andrews visiting the Baitul Salam mosque in Langwarrin to show solidarity.
The mosque was the target of an alleged attack last month which left it with thousands of dollars worth of damage. Eight people, aged from 62 to 18, were charged over the 21 June incident.
Since the alleged attack the mosque has hosted an event to promote harmony. Andrews visited the mosque last week to meet with the Imam.
Mosque spokesperson Aziz Bhatti said that the Premier offered assistance to the mosque to prevent future incidents. “The Premier met members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Imam of the mosque and spent more than an hour in the mosque. He visited various areas of the mosque and took keen interest in activities we carry out in regard to helping wider Australian community and in terms of our charity and social work,” he said. “The Premier also offered security and added CCTV cameras to the mosque keeping in view the recent attack on the mosque but the president of the Langwarrin mosque advised him that the community is grateful for the government’s generous offer but we already have everything in place with cameras and security. It is Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s tradition to be a helping and lending hand for the government and the community rather than taking hand – so we appreciate the government’s offer of helping us but it would be better if the government spend this money to other needy areas and communities in need.”
In a social media post Andrews said “last week I caught up with Bait-ul-Salam Mosque’s Imam, Wadood Janud. A few weeks on from the shocking attack, the mosque, and community, are bouncing back.”
“But I want to be very clear – these actions have no place in our community. Ever. And Islamophobia and discrimination will never be tolerated in our state. Victoria’s Muslim community makes an important contribution to our state, every single day. You make our state stronger, fairer, and better. And our government will always have your back.”