A concerned parent at Rossmoyne Senior High School in Perth sent an email expressing worries about a student named ‘Mohammed’ who was allegedly using the school’s prayer room to persuade other students to convert to Islam. The parent had seen screenshots of a group chat among students in the prayer room that reportedly included references to watching videos of Zakir Naik, a controversial figure accused of spreading Islamic extremism. The parent voiced concerns for their child’s safety and questioned the legality of a prayer room in a public school setting. Despite these concerns, the Year 11 teenager, who was later shot dead by police, was still able to access the prayer room without active supervision. His laptop and phone usage were limited and being monitored by the school on behalf of the police.
Education Minister Tony Buti attempted to distance himself from the situation, stating that the parent’s letter mentioned a boy named ‘Mohammed,’ while the deceased teen was a Caucasian boy who self-converted to Islam. It is unclear if the boy went by different names. The minister, school officials, and police all sought to reassure the community that they had no concerns about other students at the school being radicalized. Despite the concerns raised in the parent’s letter, the school and authorities were monitoring the situation and taking measures to control the deceased teen’s access to technology.
The situation has raised questions about online radicalization and the potential risks posed by individuals trying to recruit others to extremist ideologies. Concerns about the influence of figures like Zakir Naik, who has been accused of promoting Islamic extremism, have also come to the forefront. The parent’s email highlighted the fears and uncertainties that can arise when students are exposed to concerning behavior within a school setting. The fact that the deceased teen was able to access the prayer room without active supervision despite the concerns raised in the email underscores the challenges faced by schools and authorities in addressing potential radicalization among students.
Following the tragic death of the teenager, the community and authorities have been working to address the situation and provide reassurance to concerned parents and students. The Department of Education director general, Lisa Rodgers, confirmed that the deceased teen’s laptop and phone access had been limited and were being monitored by the school in collaboration with the police. Education Minister Tony Buti clarified that the concerns raised in the parent’s letter did not pertain directly to the deceased teen, emphasizing that the school and authorities were taking steps to address the situation. Despite the tragic outcome, efforts are being made to prevent radicalization and ensure the safety and well-being of students at Rossmoyne Senior High School and beyond.
The incident has underscored the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent radicalization among young people, both online and in school settings. The concerns raised by the parent in the email highlight the need for parents, schools, and authorities to work together to address potential threats and provide support to students who may be vulnerable to extremist influences. The tragic outcome of the teenager’s radicalization serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by online radicalization and the need for continued efforts to prevent such incidents in the future. By monitoring and addressing concerning behavior, schools and authorities can help protect students and ensure a safe learning environment for all.
