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One of Victoria’s largest Islamic youth centres has rejected suggestions it is linked to terrorism after it was revealed the Bourke Street attacker was a regular visitor.
Hume Islamic Youth Centre spokesman Mustafa Abu Yusuf told The Age the centre’s open-door policy meant everyone was welcome and it was working with police as part of what they “have to do”.
“We open the doors to everyone and we do our community duty and services to benefit all Australians and Muslims in particular, especially those kids who have been marginalised for two generations and made to feel like they don’t belong in this great country of ours,” he said.
On Friday Hassan Khalif Shire Ali drove a ute filled with gas cylinders into the middle of Melbourne’s CBD, setting fire to the vehicle before stabbing three people.