Unity and Condemnation: The Australian Muslim Community Stands with Bondi

On December 14, 2025, as news broke of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Council of Imams NSW released a joint statement expressing their "unequivocal condemnation" of the horrific violence.

The Council stated:

"These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack. We acknowledge the pain, fear, and distress felt across the community and extend our sincere compassion and support to all who are grieving."

The statement called for national unity, urging all Australians—including the Muslim community—to reject violence in all its forms and affirm a shared commitment to social harmony.

This initial response offer solidarity to the Jewish community during what should have been a joyous "Chanukah by the Sea" celebration, which was instead shattered by hate.

Theological Rejection: ISIS Has "No Connection to Islam"

Following the tragedy and reports linking the attackers to extremist ideologies, ANIC issued a secondary, more detailed theological document on December 16, 2025, titled: "ISIS Is an Evil and Dangerous Terrorist Organisation With NO Connection to Islam."

In this statement, the Council, representing over 300 Imams across Australia, sought to dismantle any religious justification the attackers may have claimed. The key pillars of this declaration include:

• A Clear Disavowal of Ideology: ANIC characterized ISIS as an "evil" and "dangerous" organization. They asserted that the group’s actions and ideology are in total opposition to the foundational Islamic principles of the sanctity of human life, mercy, and justice.
• A History of Enmity: The Council reminded the public that its opposition to ISIS is not new. They noted that in 2017, ISIS officially listed senior members of ANIC as targets for assassination, proving that the group views mainstream Islamic leaders as their enemies.
• The Victimization of Muslims: The statement highlighted that the global Muslim community has been the primary victim of ISIS’s brutality, suffering mass killings and the destruction of mosques at the hands of the group.
• A Demand for Terminological Clarity: ANIC firmly rejected the use of the term "Islamic State." They urged the media, political leaders, and the public to refer to the group only as "ISIS" or "Daesh," stating that the organization does not deserve to be associated with the name of Islam.
• Global Scholarly Consensus: The Council pointed to the "International Fatwa" and the consensus of major global Islamic institutions—including Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Muslim World League—all of which have declared ISIS’s actions to be "non-Islamic" and "deviant."

A Call for Accountability and Healing

Through these combined statements, the Australian National Imams Council has made its position clear: there is no tolerance for the justification or glorification of such violence within the faith.

As Australia mourns the 15 victims of the Bondi attack, the Council’s messages serve as a reminder of the "humanitarian act" seen during the crisis—exemplified by heroes like Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Muslim Australian who risked his life to disarm one of the shooters. ANIC’s response emphasizes that in the face of terror intended to divide, the path forward must be one of "unity, compassion, and solidarity."