A mosque in Northbridge, Perth, was vandalised on February 28, 2026, just hours after authorities foiled a planned terror attack targeting public buildings and Muslim places of worship. The incident occurred following the arrest of a 20-year-old man, Jayson Joseph Michaels, who has been charged with preparing for a terrorist act.
WA Police are currently seeking CCTV footage to identify the individual responsible for the vandalism. This act of graffiti is believed to be linked to the heightened tensions surrounding Michaels’ alleged intentions, which included plans to attack the Muslim community, WA Police, and even the state parliament.
According to police, the investigation into Michaels revealed that he was motivated by a white supremacist ideology and had produced a manifesto outlining his plans for a violent extremism attack. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that Michaels was part of a larger terrorist cell identified through communications on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
Investigation and Community Response
During a press conference, Commissioner Blanch explained that the ongoing inquiry involves examining messages exchanged within the group, which includes both international members and other Australians yet to be identified. He noted that, so far, there appears to be no formal structure or hierarchy among the group members.
While Michaels had no prior criminal record and was not known to the police, Blanch emphasised the seriousness of the situation. “This is a group of like-minded individuals expressing hatred towards other community members,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook, alongside senior Islamic leaders and other officials, visited the Perth Mosque to express solidarity against the vandalism and the broader threats faced by the Muslim community. Cook condemned the attack as a form of terrorism, stating, “Terrorism is an act of hatred, of division… and that’s why my government will do everything we can to stamp it out in Western Australia.”
Community Leaders Speak Out
Imam Mohammed Shakeeb, who participated in the meeting with Premier Cook, raised concerns about the divisive rhetoric in public discourse. He referenced a controversial statement made by Pauline Hanson during a Sky News interview, which questioned the existence of “good Muslims,” arguing that such language only fuels Islamophobia.
Shakeeb expressed his frustrations about the normalisation of anti-Muslim sentiment, stating, “Imagine the legal repercussions, imagine the outrage” if similar generalisations were made about other communities.
The vandalism incident at the mosque, which police have classified as “non-suspicious,” occurred after a disturbance was reported at approximately 01:00 local time on February 28. The matter has now been referred to the State Security Investigation Group for further investigation.
As the community grapples with these events, leaders are working to reassure the public that efforts will be made to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all, regardless of faith.
