Brisbane Mosque Vandalized with Anti-Muslim Hate Speech and Swastika

Hate Crime Targets Bald Hills Mosque in Brisbane

The Bald Hills Mosque, also known as Masjid Taqwa, in northern Brisbane, Australia, was subjected to a brazen act of vandalism between late Wednesday, December 17, and early Thursday, December 18, 2025. Worshippers discovered the mosque's walls defaced with anti-Muslim graffiti, including phrases like 'F**k Allah' and 'No Muslims = peace,' alongside a swastika and other white supremacist symbols. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for enhanced protections against hate speech and vilification across the country.

Details of the Vandalism and Ongoing Investigation

CCTV footage captured a masked individual spray-painting the offensive symbols and messages on the mosque's exterior walls. Queensland Police have launched an investigation into the hate crime, appealing to the public for any relevant information. Detective Inspector Chris Toohey emphasized the importance of community safety, stating, 'everyone should feel safe no matter their culture or what their religious beliefs are.' Police have also increased patrols around the mosque, particularly ahead of Friday prayers, which were expected to draw around 400 people. While a man was charged in connection with separate threatening phone calls made to the mosque this week, police have indicated that the vandalism incident appears unrelated to those threats.

Widespread Condemnation and Calls for Stronger Laws

The vandalism has been met with strong condemnation from various sectors. Bisma Asif, the Labor MP for Sandgate and Queensland's first Muslim politician, denounced the 'vile vandalism' and 'death threats' via social media. She expressed her frustration with the 'constant antisemitic, Islamophobic and racist incidents' in the community and advocated for the passage of stronger racial vilification laws. Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja echoed these sentiments, sharing Asif's post with the message, 'Don't let the haters divide us.'

Kambiz Koshan, a director of the Bald Hills Mosque, urged calm and reiterated the mosque's commitment to peace and cohesion. He stated, 'We're all Australians. We shouldn't blame a community for the actions of individuals,' highlighting that fostering hatred only deepens divisions. The incident occurred days after a deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, which killed 15 people during a Jewish event, further heightening community tensions. However, police have not identified any connection between the two events.

Government Response to Hate Speech

In response to rising concerns over hate speech and radicalization, the Albanese government on Thursday unveiled a series of new measures. These include a new aggravated hate speech offense targeting individuals who incite violence and tougher penalties for those encouraging such acts. Additionally, hate will be considered an aggravating factor in online threats and harassment, leading to stiffer consequences for offenders. In Queensland, the public display of Nazi hate symbols was banned last year, and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington indicated that the government is considering expanding this ban to include other symbols. The state of Victoria, for example, passed the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Act 2025 in April 2025, expanding protections against vilification to a broader range of attributes.