Three people have been arrested after a Muslim leader was allegedly forced out of his car on a Melbourne highway and punched in the face, in what police are calling a racially motivated attack.
The Islamic Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Noble Park said its leader, Imam Ismet Purdic, and his wife, who was also allegedly forced out of the car, had suffered “deep trauma” as a result.
The incident was also condemned by Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, the Telegraph reports.
Police allege the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Melbourne’s south-east at 7.40pm on Saturday evening when they were “racistally abused” by three people travelling in a small black car.
It is alleged that the people in the car threw objects, drove dangerously to intimidate the couple and got out of their car to attack the imam and threaten his wife after forcing them to go to a gas station.
“The imam expressed gratitude that his children were not present, noting the deep trauma caused by the incident,” the statement from the Islamic Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina said.
“Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Dandenong Interfaith Network, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect, among other things,” it said.
In a Facebook post, Purdic thanked people for their prayers, calls and messages.
“I can’t contact everyone, my wife and I are fine and the kids are too, thank you all,” his post reads.
The Australian National Council of Imams condemned it as a “cowardly attack”.
The council said the imam was recovering after being punched in the face during the incident.
“The psychological trauma suffered is severe. No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their beliefs, appearance or identity,” they added. /Telegraph/
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