Nadine Osman
An Australian Muslim undertaker has condemned a “lack of humanity” after pig heads were placed on Muslim graves at a cemetery in western Sydney in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 13.
Ahmad Hraichie, widely known online as The Muslim Undertaker, shared images on social media showing four pig heads strewn across graves in the Muslim section of Narellan Cemetery, west of Bondi Beach, where the attack took place.
Describing the act as “pure stupidity”, Hraichie said the desecration of graves served only to inflame division and hatred.
“One place that should never, ever be disrespected, no matter what is happening in the world or what faiths are involved, is a cemetery,” he said.
“To whoever did this: you have proven nothing except hatred. You are not a solution to any problem, you are part of the problem.”
Sixteen people, including the suspected gunman Sajid Akram, were killed after two attackers opened fire on members of Sydney’s Jewish community as they gathered to celebrate Chanukah.
Hraichie stressed that those buried at the cemetery had no connection to the attack.
“These people in those graves were dead long before what happened yesterday. Graves are places of rest, dignity and respect — across all faiths and all humanity,” he said.
“If you want peace, this is not the way. If you want justice, this is not the way.”
The incident comes amid heightened tensions following the attack. Sydney’s Muslim leaders have reportedly declined to perform funeral rites for the alleged attackers, insisting they do not represent Islam.
Dr Jamal Rifi, a prominent Islamic leader in Sydney, said the actions of the gunmen were unequivocally condemned by the Muslim community.
“What they have done is not condoned by any of us,” he said. “Killing an innocent person is, in our faith, the same as killing all humanity.”
Police are continuing to investigate both the attack and the desecration at the cemetery.
