A respected Islamic leader and his wife have been left shaken after a brutal, suspected hate crime in Melbourne's south-east over the weekend.
Violent Assault on South Gippsland Highway
Ismet Purdic, the 47-year-old Imam of the Bosnian Herzegovina Islamic Society in Noble Park, was driving with his wife along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South at approximately 7.40pm on Saturday. The couple were near their mosque when a small black hatchback pulled alongside their vehicle.
According to reports, two men and a woman inside the car began shouting anti-Muslim slurs and made threats to stab Mr Purdic's wife. The assailants then hurled bottles and food waste at the couple's car.
The situation escalated rapidly when the hatchback cut off the Imam's vehicle, forcing it off the road. The three occupants then exited their car and launched a physical attack on Mr Purdic. The assault was so severe that passing motorists were compelled to pull over and intervene, causing the attackers to flee the scene in their hatchback.
Community Outcry and Condemnation
While physically injured, Mr Purdic and his wife were not seriously hurt. In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Imam expressed his gratitude for the community's support, stating, "Peace be upon you. Thank you everyone for the prayers, calls, texts. I can’t get a hold of everyone - me and my wife are doing fine and so are the kids. Thank you all."
The Bosnian Herzegovina Islamic Society issued a strong statement condemning the "disturbing attack" on its leader, who has served the community for over 12 years as a religious figure, educator, and interfaith advocate. The Imam noted his profound relief that his children were not present during the traumatic incident.
The society highlighted what it described as a wave of "rising anti-Muslim hate across Australia" and urged stronger action from institutions, media, and authorities to address Islamophobia. They called for the enforcement of existing anti-vilification laws.
Calls for National Action Against Hate
The Australian National Imams Council labelled the attack a "cowardly" and "disturbing reminder of the escalating danger facing visibly Muslim Australians." The council demanded the urgent identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible. It also called for stronger national measures to confront Islamophobia, far-right extremism, and hate-fuelled violence.
Victorian Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt unequivocally condemned the "violent, racist, Islamophobic and misogynistic" attack. Her statement came with a vow to work closely with Muslim leaders ahead of the United Nations International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March.
"No Muslim woman should fear that she will have her hijab ripped off. No Victorian should have to wonder if they are safe driving down the street," Minister Stitt said, emphasising the need to defend the state's multicultural fabric.
Victoria Police confirmed an investigation is underway, stating there is "no place for prejudice-motivated, religious-based or hate-based behaviour in our society." No arrests or charges have been made at this time. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information or footage related to the incident.
