Al-Furqan Islamic Centre closing due to 'false accusations'

The Al-Furqan Islamic Centre in Melbourne is closing due to 'constant harassment, pressure and false accusations'.

A man walks past the Al-Furqan Islamic Bookshop

A pedestrian walks past the Al-Furqan Islamic Bookshop in Springvale South in Melbourne, Thursday, Sept 13, 2012. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

The Al-Furqan Islamic Centre in Melbourne is closing due to "constant harassment, pressure and false accusations".

In a statement posted on the centre’s website, a spokesman said the centre would be “ceasing its activities and closing its doors”.

“This decision has not been taken lightly,” it read.

“We believe that given the constant harassment, pressure and false accusations levelled against the centre – particularly by media and politicians – this is the best course of action for the protection of the local community, its members, and the broader Muslim community that is often implicated in these insidious campaigns.”

The Springvale centre has most recently been linked to a group of teenagers arrested for alleged terror plans targeting Anzac Day events.

The teenagers reportedly attended the centre, which earlier this week stated that there was "no connection between Al-Furqan centre and these raids".

The centre also came under media scrutiny when it distanced itself from the actions of a Melbourne terror suspect who stabbed two police officers in September.

The centre expressed its condolences to the family of "brother" Numan Haider, stating that "both its centre and its president, Harun Mehicevic, are in no way involved or connected to this incident".

The centre was also raided by Australian Federal Police in 2012.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world