Quote:A man who was shot outside an Islamic prayer centre in Sydney's west was targeted as he locked up the building following a night observing the holy ritual of Ashura, one of the most important holidays for Shiite Muslims, according to a community member.
Witnesses claimed that a number of people had driven past the Islamic centre on Rosedale Avenue in Greenacre just hours before the shooting, chanting in Arabic that "ISIS [terrorist group Islamic State] is coming" and "ISIS will stay".
Islamic State is an extremist organisation made up of Sunni jihadists and is involved in a violent conflict against Shiites and other groups in Iraq.
The 47-year-old shooting victim, an Iraqi Shiite who is a leader at the centre, was shot in the face and shoulder as he was locking up the centre about 1.15am on Monday.
Witnesses dragged him back into the centre and gave him first aid until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital.
He was expected to undergo surgery on Monday to remove pellets from his face and shoulder, and is expected to survive, police said.
Jamal Daoud, a prominent member of Sydney's Shiite community, said a group of "extremists" had been targeting Shiite Muslims trying to enter the centre to observe Ashura, a 10-day ritual to commemorate the death of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Mr Daoud claimed that a number of attacks had been carried out on the centre in recent days by extremists and "supporters of ISIS".
He said that, about 8pm on Friday, a man who was volunteering as a security guard at the centre was punched in the face by three men. Police are believed to be investigating that incident.
The violence escalated earlier Monday morning with the shooting at the centre.
"He [the victim] is one of the leaders there. He is responsible for opening and closing the centre and does many things there," Mr Daoud said.
"He was closing the centre and somebody shot at him.
"These people have been conducting a campaign of intimidation for the past few weeks. I talk to many of the people in the community, and they're very concerned and they're very scared."
Mr Daoud said that, earlier on Sunday night, the leader of the Islamic centre had phoned police to complain that people were driving past and making threats, including that "ISIS is coming".
On Monday morning, police taped off the centre, which is located in an industrial area and is surrounded by warehouses and smash repairers, and were using firearms and dogs as they examined the shooting scene.
Inspector David Firth, from the Bankstown Local Area Command, said detectives were investigating whether the shots were fired from a passing vehicle.
"At this point in time it does not appear that there is any type of motivation for the shooting and ... we're following further lines of inquiry and speaking to witnesses to establish a motive for the offence," he said.
Police would not say if they were investigating whether religious tensions were believed to be behind the shooting.
Detectives have appealed for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/religious-leader-shot-outside-islamic-ce...this is islam
all you apologetics, this is what you are arguing for.
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Moslems in Australia, shoot 'non-moslems', Sydney (Read 7700 times)
