The government of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing strong criticism after awarding 27 million dollars in a closed, non-competitive grant to the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), along with an additional 1.1 million dollars in January 2024, officially aimed at strengthening the security of mosques, schools, and Islamic centers.
The controversy erupted because ANIC's chief cleric, Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, endorsed a "fatwa" (Sharia Law ruling) that calls for "jihad" against Israel, encouraging financial and military support for Hamas fighters and urging Muslims to challenge governments that block aid to Gaza.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, defended the funding by assuring that the objective is to protect both Jewish and Muslim communities in the context of the Middle East conflict.
However, his absolute silence regarding the "fatwa" is interpreted by critics as an omission that favors extremist sectors and prioritizes political calculations over national security. Neither ANIC nor Mohamad has publicly replied to the accusations.
The controversy arises in an environment of growing social tension. According to critics of the measure, threats against Israel translate into direct threats against Australian Jews.
They claim that slogans such as "globalize the intifada" are frequently heard at protests, while synagogues have been attacked and the suspects released on bail.
