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Three people have been arrested after a Muslim leader was allegedly forced from his car on a Melbourne freeway and punched in the face in what police say was a racially motivated attack.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society in Noble Park said its leader, Imam Ismet Purdic, and his wife who was also allegedly forced from the car, had suffered “profound trauma” as a result.
The incident was also condemned by the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan.
Police allege the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Melbourne’s south-east at 7.40pm on Saturday when they were “racially abused” by three occupants of a small black hatchback.
It is alleged the occupants of the car hurled objects, drove dangerously to intimidate the couple and got out of their car to assault the imam and threaten his wife after forcing them into a service station.
“The imam has expressed gratitude that his children were not present, noting the profound trauma the incident has caused,” the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society statement read.
“Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect.
In a Facebook post, Purdic thanked people for their prayers, calls and 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 translated post reads.
The Australian National Imams Council condemned it as a “cowardly attack”.
The council said the iman was recovering after being punched in the face during the incident.
“The psychological trauma suffered by the victims is severe. No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their faith, appearance, or identity.”
Allan said she had spoken with Purdic and his wife.
“There is no place for Islamophobia, no place for this sort of hate anywhere in Victoria,” she told reporters on Monday.
“I want to say very clearly to the Muslim community, but particularly Muslim women, that I will support your right every single day to live freely in this state, free from hate and also fight for your right to move around our community safely and with dignity.”
Members of the public intervened before the alleged offenders returned to their vehicle and fled, police alleged.
The trio were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday.
A 23-year-old Cranbourne North man and 22-year-old Cranbourne East man have been charged with criminal damage and common law assault.
The Cranbourne North man was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong magistrates court on Monday.
The Cranbourne East man was bailed to appear at the same court on 22 May.
An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman was released pending summons.
“There is absolutely no place for prejudice-motivated, religious based or hate-based behaviour in our society and such activity will not be tolerated,” Victorian police said in a statement on Monday.
