LEADERS have urged the community to unite after the Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB) received a bomb threat on 5 September.
Police have not yet determined the source of the threat, which they said was not credible.
College CEO Ali Kadri joined several community leaders who condemned the “racism” behind the hoax.
“We are a multicultural country, we are a country of migrants who come from across the world, and we stand united,” he said.
Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), a council of Muslim community leaders, said they were deeply alarmed by the threat.
In a statement about the bomb threat, ANIC said the recent anti-immigration marches, which were attended by neo-nazi groups and far-right political figures on 31 August, in towns and cities nationally, had emboldened extremist threats of violence.
“This vile and dangerous threat comes at a time when far-right extremism and anti-immigration sentiment are being normalised across Australia,” the ANIC statement said.
“When hate is left unchecked, it threatens every community, every place of worship, and every school across Australia.”
Mr Kadri said he was saddened by what was happening in the country at the moment and that political leaders who took advantage of racist threats, like the one directed at ICB, were harming Australia and its future generations.
“If we make it okay to demonise people, if we make it okay to rally against people who are of a different colour, religion, or background, then we are not being Australian,” he said.
Mayor Jon Raven said it was up to the wider community to stand up against violence and extremism to make the community a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
“The threats of violence and bombing against the school are Islamophobic and un-Australian,” Cr Raven said.
“Threats against freedom of religion and safety of children are an attack not just on the school but on our Australian way of life.”
Mr Kadri said the school would double down on its security protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff.
“We have taken serious measures at our school to ensure safety and security, we have lockdown procedures in place, we have double fencing,” he said
A police investigation into who sent the threat, which was received by college staff via email on Friday, 5 September, is ongoing, senior constable Haria Mawardi from Calamvale Police Station said.
“While I cannot comment on the details of the investigation, I can confirm the threat toward the school was a hoax,” Mr Mawardi said.
“CEO – Ali Kadri made the decision to finish school early this day, which was wholly supported by the Queensland Police Service.
“I am aware some parents were displeased with the lack of police presence at the school during this time, but I can assure you, police were in attendance, assisting staff and taking this matter very seriously.”
Mr Kadri addressed parents and guardians of the school’s students in a series of statements uploaded to social media at 12.15pm, shortly after the bomb threat was received.
The threat contained images of bombs and profanities against Islam, the school and its students, and the street address of ICB, which Mr Kadri said were later determined to have been pulled from the internet.
Police responded to the threat by ‘sweeping’ the school and ensuring there was no credible threat to students or staff.
Mr Kadri praised the actions of school staff, students, and their guardians for their swift and orderly response.
“This is an amazing example of how in adversity we come together and we make sure that we do the right thing to protect our children and the future of our community,” Mr Kadri said.
“I am happy and proud to say our staff were amazing in following that protocol; it was an orderly evacuation, and all students were accounted for.”
Queensland Muslims Inc. called upon the federal and state police forces to investigate the “vile racist bomb” threat immediately.
“This act is designed to instill fear and division, and it represents an attack not just on a single institution, but on the entire QLD community,” Queensland Muslims Inc. said.
“There is no place for such hatred, intimidation, and racism in our community.”
