The former Islamic teacher of the alleged Bondi Beach gunman has strongly condemned the terror attack and said he has received death threats over his connection to him.
Adam Ismail, head of the Al-Murad Institute in Sydney, posted a video on social media on Monday after an image of him with Naveed Akram, 24, began to circulate online.
Highlights
- Adam Ismail, former Islamic teacher of the alleged gunman, condemned the Bondi Beach terror attack and distanced himself from the violence.
- Ismail taught Naveed Akram Koran recitation and Arabic for about a year but lost contact with him years ago.
- The Bondi attack killed 16, including one gunman, and injured 40 at a Hanukkah event.
- Victims included a 10-year-old girl, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the organizer of the event.
- PM Albanese called the attack antisemitic terrorism and pledged stronger gun laws to combat hatred and violence in Australia.
Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, have been named locally as the two alleged gunmen who opened fire at a Hanukkah event on one of Australia’s most iconic beaches.
Adam Ismail said he taught Naveed Akram for about a year
Image credits: Facebook
In a video, Ismail said he had no involvement in the tragic events and had lost contact with Naveed years ago.
“Naveed approached the center in late 2019 seeking Koran recitation and Arabic language classes, as I’ve done with thousands of students over the years, I’ve taught him Koran citation and Arabic only for a combined period of one year,” Ismail said.
“These were the only subjects I taught him, and they are the areas I specialize in.
“I condemn these acts of violence without any hesitation. I’m deeply saddened about what occurred and extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and the Jewish community affected.”
Image credits: Facebook
Ismail added, “What I find deeply ironic is that the very Koran he was learning to recite clearly states that taking one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.
“This makes it clear that what unfolded yesterday at Bondi is completely forbidden in Islam. Not everyone who recites the Koran understands it or lives by its teachings, and, sadly, this appears to be the case here.”
Ismail also said he and his family had received death threats after his connection to Naveed was shared online, according to the Daily Mail.
“I last had contact with him in early 2022, but we just strictly teach people to read the Koran here, nothing else,” he said.
“I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi.
Image credits: Kate Geraghty / Sydney Morning Herald via Getty Images
“I have a young family, and we've been harassed with death threats. We’ve had to evacuate our home and have needed police assistance, for which we are very thankful.”
New South Wales (NSW) Police said 16 people were killed and 40 others were injured in the attack that unfolded in Sydney’s East on Sunday evening local time.
Alleged gunman Sajid was killed at the scene, and the second alleged shooter, Naveed, suffered critical injuries and was taken to the hospital under police guard.
Those who died are yet to be formally identified, but the youngest victim was 10 years old, and the oldest was 87 years old, police said.
Many of the victims have been identified by their loved ones and in the media, with the 10-year-old girl being named by her family as Matilda.
One victim was identified as 10-year-old Matilda
Image credits: GoFundMe
British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was identified as the organizer of Chanukah by the Sea, who was killed in the attack, as per the Jewish organization Chabad.
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, was reportedly killed while shielding his wife, Larisa, from the gunmen, Chabad said.
French national Dan Elkayam was among those killed in the attack, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on X.
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, who served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Center, was also identified by Chabad as another of those who died.
Businessman Reuven Morrison, former NSW detective Peter Meagher, Tibor Weitzen, 78, and Marika Pogany, 82, were also killed in the attack, according to CNN.
Image credits: Izhar Khan/Getty Images
Five people remain in critical condition, with the others in the hospital remaining in serious and stable conditions.
Two police officers who were shot responding to the attack remain in serious but stable condition.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as an evil act of antisemitism.
“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach,” he said at a press conference.
“This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah, which, of course, should be a joyous celebration,” he added.
“The Jewish community is hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say, We stand with you.
“We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism. It is a scourge, and we will eradicate it together.”
In a statement after a national cabinet meeting, Albanese said his government would look to strengthen gun laws across the country.
Australia already has some of the strictest gun laws in the world, requiring people to have a firearm license, to pass background checks, and undergo safety training.