A mosque in West Melbourne has temporarily closed as police investigate reports of a suspicious package. The Islamic Council of Victoria reported the closure of its Jeffcott Street mosque and a police cordon around the building and a portion of the street.
Mosque Temporarily Closed Due to Suspicious Package
All mosque events and activities have been suspended until further notice, and public access to the building is prohibited, according to the Islamic Council of Victoria.
Victoria Police confirmed officers were called to the street around 4 p.m. to conduct a safety check. By 8 p.m., the area was deemed safe and had been “rehabilitated,” with investigations continuing.
Mohamad Mohideen, president of the Islamic Council of Victoria, said a staff member discovered the package while approximately 50 people were inside the mosque. “The first thing we do is inform Triple-0 and the police cordoned off the place and now the bomb squad is here as well,” he said.
Mohideen explained the precaution was taken due to the high volume of people who typically visit the mosque, especially during Ramadan. “This evening, normally we’ll have about 800 people coming to break fast. They’re students, parents, children…”
Earlier this week, the Islamic Council of Victoria received a “suspicious voicemail” that referenced the same name that appeared on the package, Mohideen added. “You add one plus one, you come up with something, and you want to take precautions,” he said.
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