Muslim community leaders in Sydney have refused to receive the body of the Bondi Beach shooter, following the deadly attack that claimed 16 lives and injured 42 others, including two police officers who remain in serious but stable condition.
Read More: ‘Dark Day’ for Australia as 12 killed in Bondi Beach shooting
The attackers were identified as father and son, Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid was killed at the scene, while Naveed was shot by police and taken to hospital.
Prominent Islamic leaders declared the perpetrators outside the fold of Islam and refused to perform funeral rituals or accept the body in Muslim sections of cemeteries. Dr Jamal Rifi, a respected Sydney Islamic leader, said, “We do not condone the killing of civilians in any form.”
Sydney Muslim Leaders have said they will REFUSE to perform funeral rites or receives the bodies of deceased Sajid Akram (Father) nor his son, Naveed Akram (Still alive).
They will NOT be buried in the Muslim section as Dr Jamal Rifi said the community does not consider the… pic.twitter.com/cos6mY1Lyu
— Mickamious (@MickamiousG) December 15, 2025
He cited a verse from the Qur’an, stating, “Killing an innocent civilian is the same as killing all humanity,” and added that Sajid Akram’s body would not be accepted in any Muslim section of the Rockwood cemetery.
Naveed Akram’s former Islamic teacher, Sheikh Adam Ismail, also condemned the attack, expressing devastation at the images of victims. He revealed that his family received death threats following the incident and had to evacuate their home, thanking security officials for their support.
In a disturbing retaliatory act, Islamophobic vandalism was reported at Narellan Cemetery in Camden, where pig heads were thrown onto Muslim graves. Prominent Muslim undertaker Ahmad Hraichie strongly condemned the act.
He says, “Whoever did this has done nothing except proven their hatred.” Authorities are investigating the incident, highlighting ongoing tensions following the tragedy and the importance of protecting community sites from hate-driven attacks.
Read More: Pakistani guard killed in Sydney mall attack hailed as hero at funeral
The combined reactions from Muslim leaders and the wider community underscore both the condemnation of the attack and the urgent need to address backlash targeting innocent members of the Muslim community.