To: Department of Home Affairs,
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Federal Police

Dear Sir/Madam,

We write as members of the Hazara community residing in Australia. We are grateful for the protection, freedoms, and rule of law that Australia provides. It is precisely because we value these democratic principles that we feel compelled to raise the following concerns.

Recently, certain Shia religious centres in Australia have organised and publicly promoted mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As members of the Hazara community, we unequivocally condemn these events and wish to make it clear that such activities do not represent our community, our collective interests, or our values.

These centres do not possess any legitimate mandate to speak on behalf of the Shia/Hazara diaspora in Australia. On the contrary, we are concerned that some of these institutions function within ideological or political networks that may extend beyond purely religious activities. The instrumentalisation of religious platforms for political alignment with foreign regimes raises serious questions in the context of Australia’s sovereignty, social cohesion, and national security framework.

Our concerns are threefold:

First, these activities risk creating division and confusion within refugee communities by conflating religious identity with political allegiance to foreign state actors. Many vulnerable community members may feel pressured, misled, or socially coerced into participating in programs that carry political implications.

Second, there is a legitimate public interest in examining whether any of these centres, their preachers, or administrators maintain formal or informal links with foreign political institutions or receive financial or logistical support from abroad. Transparency regarding funding sources, governance structures, and external affiliations is essential to safeguard Australia’s democratic integrity.

Third, Australia’s multicultural framework depends on religious freedom operating within the boundaries of the law and free from foreign political interference. Where religious institutions potentially act as conduits for foreign influence, enhanced scrutiny is not discriminatory—it is a necessary measure of national resilience.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the relevant authorities:

1. Conduct thorough and independent investigations into the leadership, invited preachers, and administrative structures of the centres involved.
2. Examine their funding sources, including any foreign financial contributions, grants, or material support.
3. Assess whether any activities may fall within the scope of foreign interference, undeclared foreign influence, or breaches of existing Australian legislation.
4. Consider placing greater regulatory and security oversight on religious institutions of this nature where credible concerns arise.

We emphasize that our request is not directed against religious belief or the Shia faith. Rather, it is a call for vigilance where religion may be intertwined with foreign political agendas. The Hazara community in Australia seeks to integrate fully, contribute constructively, and uphold Australian values of democracy, pluralism, and transparency.

We trust that the relevant authorities will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Respectfully submitted,
Members of the Hazara Community in Australia
Date: 3/3/2026