Islamic State magazine encourages attacks on MCG and SCG

A relatively new Islamic State magazine has made bold statements encouraging attacks on two of Australia’s most iconic cricket stadiums, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The editorial of the terrorist organisation named “Among the Believers are Men” mentioned that one of their members Ezzit Raad was previously convicted for planning to blow up the MCG in 2005 and died in 2015 while fighting for the IS.

Terrorist attacks have become increasing threat to the world of sports nowadays, the Paris attacks last year is an example where a football match between France and Germany was the target for an attack.

As per the reports of news.com.au, the article stated, “Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards. Stab them, shoot them, poison them, and run them down with your vehicles.” The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world and has hosted two Cricket World Cup finals.

“Kill them wherever you find them until the hollowness of their arrogance is filled with terror and they find themselves on their knees with their backs broken under the weight of regret for having waged a war against the believers, and by Allah’s will, and then through your sacrifices, this Ummah [community of Muslims] will be victorious,” it added.

One of the worst terrorist attacks took place in Pakistan during Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan back in 2009. 12 gunmen outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore had a shot at the visitors in which 6 Sri Lankan cricketers were injured. Following the incident, Pakistan never got the opportunity to host a full home series owing to security concerns and generally plays its home matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Ezzit Raad was also paid a tribute on behalf of the Editorial of the magazine along with Adam Dahman, a teenager for Melbourne who was part of a suicide bombing in 2014, Iraq. It is also learnt from reports that the article gave a special mention to “those living in Australia in particular” to follow their lead. It mentioned, “Follow the path of these righteous souls because there is no other path. The Khilafah [caliphate] has called for you to mobilize from your dens to alleviate the pain afflicting the hearts of the Muslims by striking the kuffar in their homelands.”