Australian mosques mourned Iran’s Khamenei as a “martyr,” sparking government and community backlash over extremism and security concerns.

Australian mosques in Sydney and Melbourne hosted memorial services for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling him a "martyr," which prompted criticism from public servants and local authorities. Citing Khamenei's involvement in violations of human rights and the persecution of demonstrators and LGBTQ+ people, NSW Premier Chris Minns referred to the tributes as "atrocious." Because of its involvement in attacks on Jewish community sites, Australia has classified the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which he led, as a terrorist organization. Critics warned that the events encourage extremist ideologies and called for criminal investigations, including Jewish and Iranian-Australian activists. The commemorations have heightened discussion about free speech, national security, and the impact of foreign political figures within Australia's Muslim community, despite some Muslim organizations defending the events as religious observances.