- A Melbourne Imam, Ismet Purdic, and his wife were subjected to a grave Islamophobic attack on 10 January 2026 after their vehicle was boxed in.
- The Imam physically assaulted and the couple targeted with abuse, projectiles, and explicit anti-Muslim threats. The attackers threatened to stab the Imam’s wife.
The Bosnia Herzegovina Islamic Society Noble Park Mosque has confirmed a grave Islamophobic attack against its Imam, Ismet Purdic, and his wife. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, 10 January 2026.
At approximately 7.30 pm, the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway towards Dandenong. They were accosted by a group of racists who deliberately boxed in their vehicle. The assailants unleashed a torrent of abuse and hurled bottles and food waste. The Imam was also physically assaulted.
The attackers shouted anti-Muslim slurs and issued explicit threats. Among them was a threat of stabbing directed at the Imam’s wife, who observes the hijab. The vehicle sustained extensive damage. Passing motorists intervened and brought the assault to an end.
The Imam has expressed relief that his children were not present during the attack. He emphasised the deep and enduring trauma caused by the incident. “My message for all of us in Australia is just to stay together to help each other to stay safe, and not to allow anyone, doesn’t matter … his religion or beliefs, to break this peace, security and all [the] good values we believe in,” he said.
