Threats to Muslim groups follow police shooting of youth in carpark

A newspaper report of the shooting.

Victoria's Islamic community has received threats less than 24 hours after a Muslim youth stabbed two police officers and was shot dead.

The threats were against the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), Muslims in general and the family of the 18-year-old Melbourne teen fatally shot on Tuesday night.

"Since last night's events, we have received - at the council here - a number of communications ... contacts from people expressing views I would find absolutely abhorrent," ICV secretary Ghaith Krayem said yesterday. "Threats, language against the family of [the] young man, clearly there are - and I use this deliberately - extremists on all sides of the community. Our society as a whole is feeling quite anxious, and fearful, and it only takes something of this nature to lose a lot of the goodwill built up in the community over a number of years."

Krayem urged the police, media and the broader community not to jump to conclusions and automatically tie the youth's actions to terrorism or Isis (Islamic State). He said the teen had volunteered to attend the Endeavour Hills police station at the request of police and "something occurred".

"There is a legal process that he is entitled to and we insist takes place."

Krayem said he didn't know the young man personally but said many 18-year-olds were prone to doing ill-considered things that rebelled against authority. "They can be brash, they can be immature ... None of those things make him a terrorist," he said.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay said there were concerns about a backlash against the Muslim community and it was important to keep lines of communication open. "There will be race tensions, there is no doubt about that. My people reached out to the leaders in the Muslim community to give them a briefing on what occurred. It is absolutely critical that we give the faith communities in Victoria support, and information, we allow them to share their concerns with us."

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said his multicultural affairs minister would contact senior Islamic figures to "reassure all members of the Victorian community that everything is being done to protect our safety and to make sure that our community continues to work together".

Muslim leaders including the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, have condemned "the horrors conducted overseas in the name of religion" as "crimes against humanity and sins against God. The recent so-called fatwa from overseas making reference to Australia as a target has no religious authority and must be rejected," they said.

Australia's terror alert level was this month elevated to high and in the past week counter-terrorism raids have been carried out in Sydney and Brisbane while Parliament House has beefed up its security.

How shooting unfolded

• Who: Muslim teen Numan Haider, 18, of Narre Warren.
• What is known: He came to police attention three months ago. His passport was cancelled a week ago after escalating rhetoric. He was seen at a Melbourne shopping centre with an Isis flag. Police said he made no specific threats.
• The incident: Police arranged to meet him on Tuesday night. Uncomfortable about meeting in Endeavour Hills police station foyer, he wanted to talk in car park. Police say after hand shake, he attacked officers.
• The outcome: Federal officer stabbed in neck, wrist, stomach and head. Victoria officer stabbed twice in forearm. That officer killed teen with single shot. Another knife on his body. Officers required surgery, both in stable condition.

- AAP