The alleged Bondi shooter's former Islamic teacher has publicly condemned the attack, as he reveals he is now receiving death threats against his family.
Sydney-based Sheikh Adam Ismail, head of the Al-Murad Institute, released a video on Monday denouncing the alleged actions of suspected gunman Naveed Akram.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead at the scene late on Sunday night, are suspected of carrying out the horrific attack on Jewish people and other innocent civilians.
Sheikh Ismail said he felt compelled to speak out after an image began circulating on social media showing him presenting Naveed with a certificate for mastering the rules of proper pronunciation and recitation of the Quran.
'I want to be very clear that from the beginning, I have absolutely no involvement in what happened tragically yesterday in Bondi,' Mr Ismail said.
'The purpose of this statement is to first, clarify my connection to him, secondly, to express my stance on what tragically unfolded and finally, to explain the Islamic position on such an act.
'Naveed approached the centre in late-2019 seeking Koran recitation and Arabic language classes, as I've done with thousands of students over the years, I've taught him Koran citation and Arabic only for a combined period of one year.
'These were the only subjects I taught him and those are the areas I specialise in.'
Sydney-based Al-Murad Institute head Sheikh Adam Ismail released a video on Monday condemning the attack
Mr Ismail said in his video he was an image of him handing Akram a certificate for perfecting rules of the tajweed was circulating on social media
Police subdue the gunmen
'I condemn these acts of violence without any hesitation. I'm deeply saddened about what occurred and extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and the Jewish community affected.
'What I find deeply ironic is that the very Koran he's learning to recite clearly states taking one innocent life is like killing all of humanity.'
'This makes it clear what unfolded yesterday at Bondi is completely forbidden in Islam. Not everyone who recites the Koran understands it or lives by its teachings and, sadly, this appears to be the case here.'
'I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my former and current students, friends, and family for their ongoing support and advice during this time. I hope this has brought some clarity.'
The Islamic teacher said his family had received death threats.
'I last had contact with him in early 2022, but we just strictly teach people to read Koran here, nothing else,' he said.
'I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi.'
'I have a young family and we've been harassed with death threats. We've had to evacuate our home and have needed police assistance, for which we are very thankful.'
Mr Ismail made the video after claiming his family had received death threats
Naveed Akram is the prime suspect in the shootings
Other Sydney Muslim leaders also said they will refuse to perform funeral rites or receive the bodies of the Bondi shooters.
The pair allegedly stood on a pedestrian footbridge and opened fire with military-grade weapons into crowds of locals, holidaymakers and families.
So far, 16 people have died, including gunman Sajid Akram, while a further 42 people, including four children, were taken to hospital.
Police confirmed 14 people died at the scene, with two others dying overnight in hospital. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
Naveed Akram remains in hospital under police guard after being shot by officers.
Prominent Sydney Islamic leader Dr Jamal Rifi said the community does not consider the shooters to be within the fold of Islam.
'What they have done is not condoned by any of us and it is killing innocent civilians. We know it is a verse in our book, killing an innocent civilian is the same as killing all humanity,' he said.
Dr Rifi said the community responded in the same way following the 2014 Lindt Café siege, which resulted in three deaths, including the gunman.
Prominent Sydney Islamic leader Dr Jamal Rifi said the community will not accept the alleged shooters' bodies
'When the perpetrator died we were asked if we were to receive his body,' Dr Rifi said.
'We refused to receive his body and we refrained and refused to perform the death rituals on his body and would refuse to accept him in any Muslim section of Rookwood cemetery. And we would do exactly the same with these people.'
The Australian National Imams Council also condemned the attack.
'Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack.
'This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,' they said.