Bondi shooting: Pig heads dumped at Muslim cemetery as police probe retribution

Police are probing pig heads left at a Muslim cemetery.

Ahmad Hraichie, a Muslim undertaker with 1.8 million followers on Instagram, said that pig heads had been thrown on to graves at Narellan Cemetery, in Sydney’s western suburb of Camden, in a possible act of retribution after the attack.

At least 16 people were killed, including 15 victims and one of the assailants, in an attack targeting Jewish families as they celebrated Hanukkah on Sunday. The youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl.

Hraichie, who according to the Daily Mail has worked at Narellan Cemetery, said on social media: “To whoever did this: you have proven nothing except hatred. You are not a solution to any problem – you are part of the problem.

“This is pure stupidity. It achieves nothing. It only fuels anger, pain and division. We do not need more people being revved up and amped up by cowardly actions like this.”

Hraichie added: “Graves are places of rest, dignity and respect – across all faiths and all humanity.

“If you want peace, this is not the way. If you want justice, this is not the way. All you are doing is showing a lack of humanity.”

New South Wales police said that they received reports of animal remains left at the entrance to the cemetery in Richardson Rd, Narellan, according to news.com.au.

In a statement, police said: “Officers attended and found several pig heads at the scene. Police immediately commenced an investigation into the incident. The pig heads have since been removed and disposed of appropriately.”

According to the New South Wales Government, the Al Nur Islamic Cemetery in Narellan is operated by the Lebanese Muslim Association, which provides Islamic funeral services.

The association had condemned the Bondi Beach attacks, writing in a statement: “The Australian Muslim community unequivocally condemns the horrific acts of violence that occurred at Bondi Beach.

“Acts of violence against innocent people are not rooted in faith ... Islam explicitly forbids the taking of innocent life.”

The Telegraph has approached the Lebanese Muslim Association for comment.

Pork is considered haram or non-halal in Islam. It is considered to be unclean and Muslims often do not consume it. Eating pork is also considered non-kosher – meaning non-permissible – in Judaism.

Call for calm

In a press conference following the attack at Bondi Beach, Mal Lanyon, the New South Wales Police Commissioner, asked for calm and discouraged retribution.

“Could I ask that this is a time of calm,” he said. “This is a time where I want to make sure that there is no retribution.

“The police are investigating thoroughly. We have acted promptly. We have taken decisive action. Could I just ask for calm in the community, allow the police to do our job.”

Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.