Australian Imam Council chief urges local training as Islamophobia spikes

Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, president of the Australian National Imams Council, told the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion that Islam‑related hate incidents have risen six‑fold since the December Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people. He said the council stood "shoulder‑to‑shoulder" with the Jewish community after the attack.

Alsuleiman, who was placed on an Islamic State kill list in 2017 for condemning violence, called for Australian‑born imams to be trained locally. He announced plans to build the Islamic Institute of Higher Education and said the council must either bring imams from overseas or send Australian Muslims abroad for study, to better integrate religious leadership with Australian culture and language.