A 20-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly causing $100,000 worth of damage at a mosque in western Sydney.
Antique chandeliers, a plasma television, and 13 large windows were vandalised at the Gallipoli Mosque in Auburn on Sunday night, NSW Police said.
Police arrested the man, from Guildford, on Sunday night. They said mental health issues appeared to have been a factor in the incident.
A spokesman for the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation said the vandalism occurred when a small group of worshipers were on site.
Windows, a televison, chandeliers and other fixtures and property were damaged at the Gallipoli Mosque in Auburn. Source: Anadolu Ajans
Abdurrahman Asaroglu, chair of the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation which oversees Gallipoli Mosque operations, said the mosque “serves the needs of our local community here in Sydney, including the promotion of peace and harmony between all communities calling Australia home.”
He added that the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque will continue to spread the message of peace and harmony in Australia.
Acting Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge condemned the "appalling acts" of vandalism on behalf of the Australian government.
"Those who seek to divide our community will never succeed," he said in a statement.
Mr Tudge said the mosque had raised nearly $5,000 to support bushfire relief efforts earlier this year and more recently delivered care packages during the coronavirus pandemic.
NSW Labor leader Jodie McKay also said the attack should offend all Australians.
"Our thoughts are with all those who worship at the Mosque," she said in a statement.
While the NSW acting minister for multiculturalism Geoff Lee labeled the incident "disgraceful".
"I strongly condemn the incident which recently took place at the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. It was disgraceful, offensive and not Australian," he said.
"The NSW Government strongly condemns any form of violence and vandalism, which are never tolerated in our community. Places of religious worship are sacrosanct and the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque is a valuable member of our harmonious society," he added.
