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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

'Kill him': Muslim man allegedly attacked on way to Melbourne mosque

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Muslim man in Melbourne, Australia, alleges he was attacked on his way to mosque prayers after confronting a group about littering.
  • The victim claims one attacker asked if he was Muslim before instructing the other to "kill him" with a knife, which was deflected by his jacket.
  • Police are investigating the incident, while the Islamic Council of Victoria condemned the attack, citing a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment.

A Muslim man in Melbourne's southeast alleges he was brutally attacked on his way to evening prayers after a dispute over litter escalated into a violent assault. Samir Raghbat, 43, claims his oversized puffer jacket was the only thing that saved him from a knife attack.

The incident occurred on June 24 in a car park near the Hampton Park mosque. Raghbat told ABC that he approached a group of men who had left rubbish scattered around the area. When he questioned their actions, an argument ensued, leading to the alleged assault.

Kill him

— Attacker (alleged)Raghbat alleges one attacker instructed the other to kill him after Raghbat confirmed he was Muslim.

According to Raghbat, one of the attackers repeatedly asked, "Are you Muslim?" When he confirmed he was, the other assailant allegedly instructed him to "kill him" with what appeared to be a makeshift knife. Raghbat stated the blade narrowly missed him, piercing his jacket instead of his body.

God blessed me … my jacket saved me. I swear, and I don't even wear it often.

— Samir RaghbatRaghbat described how his jacket protected him from a knife during the alleged assault.

Victoria police confirmed they are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident. CCTV footage reviewed by ABC appears to show two men punching and kicking Raghbat multiple times before onlookers intervened and the attackers fled. A witness, speaking anonymously, described Raghbat bravely defending himself before pleading for his life.

The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) has strongly condemned the attack. ICV president Mohamed Mohideen stated, "No-one should fear for their safety simply for answering the call to prayer." He added, "The circumstances of this attack, a worshipper set upon as he came to pray, are deeply distressing for Muslim Victorians." Mohideen highlighted concerns about rising anti-Muslim hatred and its impact on community safety.

He shook my neck for three minutes. I screamed two, three times, 'I can't breathe'.

— Samir RaghbatRaghbat recounted the physical struggle during the attack.

Raghbat sustained facial bruising, leg and back injuries, and emotional distress. He expressed feeling unsafe in his community following the ordeal.

No-one should fear for their safety simply for answering the call to prayer.

— Mohamed MohideenThe ICV president condemned the attack, emphasizing the right to religious practice without fear.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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