Islamophobia in New Zealand: Extremist 'pastor' who harassed Muslims at mosques likely to be deported

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - An extremist self-styled pastor, who harassed Muslim people at two Brisbane mosques, is likely to be deported after being arrested overnight.

The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said Logan Robertson, a New Zealand national, was taken into custody on Friday evening and had been placed in detention.

“My message is clear – if people come to this country, they need to abide by the conditions of their visas,” Dutton told reporters on Saturday

“We have a wonderful tradition in our country of freedom of speech, but we’re not going to tolerate people going to a place of worship and harassing others.”

The arrest follows three men, including the 31-year-old Robertson, being charged over being a public nuisance and trespassing at the Kuraby mosque and the Darra mosque.

The church is not affiliated with the Queensland Baptists or Australian Baptist Ministries.

Dutton said Robertson was specifically counselled by immigration authorities when he moved to Australia about his history of extremist rhetoric.

The minister said a full investigation by the Queensland police would be carried out before a final decision about Robertson’s deportation.

The Islamic Council of Queensland has expressed concern about possible copycat incidents at mosques.

A spokesman for the council, Ali Kadri, said stronger laws around hate speech were needed to better protect worshippers of all faiths.

“This is not just about Muslims, it’s about hate, it’s about preaching hatred, it’s about dividing society, and if we don’t nip it in the bud it will affect society as a whole,” he said.

Kadri said he would write to the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, about the issue.




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