#auspol @jihadwatchRS Federal police probe into Western Sydney school where ISIS graffiti was sprayed: AFP issues nationwide terror warning to teachers TAYLOR AUERBACH & BEN MCCLELLAN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH NOVEMBER 01, 2014 FEDERAL police have asked staff at East Hills Boys High School to monitor their students amid fears terrorism recruiters are targeting youngsters. The AFP is also calling on teachers across the country to tip off national security officials over any radicalised students they encounter. Their concerns come amid revelations a group of teachers at East Hills Boys approached the principal with fears for their safety after extremist graffiti — including the slogan “ISIS R coming” — was sprayed across a school building. The Saturday Telegraph understands four teachers expressed concerns in the wake of the pro-IS slogans being painted at the school — where Sydney teenager Fayez studied before leaving the country to join jihadists in the Middle East. The East Hills boys ID card of former student Fayez who left Australia to join jihadists The East Hills boys ID card of former student Fayez who left Australia to join jihadists in the Middle East. Abdullah Elmira, 17, told his family he was going fishing and flew overseas to join the c Abdullah Elmira, 17, told his family he was going fishing and flew overseas to join the conflict in Syria and Iraq. He has since returned to Australia after his desperate father intercepted him in Turkey. The AFP are confident he no longer holds extremist views. AFP officers have visited the school, and others in Western Sydney, and asked senior staff to monitor students for extremist tendencies or terrorist leanings. “The AFP is concerned recruiters are targeting younger persons. The AFP and its partners are spending significant time in schools and the community to counter extremist narratives,” a spokesman said. “The best defence against radicalisation is through well-informed and well equipped families, communities and institutions. “Schools and teachers who come across seemingly radicalised students or students displaying intentions to join combat situations overseas are encouraged to report their concerns to local police or to contact the National Security Hotline.” AFP officers have visited the school, and others in Western Sydney, and asked senior staf AFP officers have visited the school, and others in Western Sydney, and asked senior staff to monitor students for extremist tendencies or terrorist leanings. Students at East Hills Boys have been counselled over the war in Iraq and Syria, and told to approach their teachers if they are “harassed” or influenced by recruiters. The Education Department insists a student-run Islamic prayer and lecture group operating out of a classroom during Friday lunch breaks is supervised by two staff members, but students have told The Saturday Telegraph otherwise. “We did have an Islamic lecture/prayer session at the school run, managed and organised by students,” said one. “Being Muslim myself, I had been asked regularly to participate but I always refused because Islam ... can be complex and confusing without the proper knowledge and understanding which 16-year-old students wouldn’t likely have.” Students at East Hills Boys have been counselled over the war in Iraq and Syria. Students at East Hills Boys have been counselled over the war in Iraq and Syria. It is believed Fayez attended these prayer sessions before his globetrotting jihadist jaunt that led him to the precipice of a brutal and bloody war alongside friend and ginger-haired IS spokesman Abdullah Elmir. “We spoke on a daily basis you could say … (he) liked to muck around here and there, would have a bit of attitude with the teachers. Nothing much than just a bit more than the next kid,” a former classmate said. “He wasn’t into religion at the time I knew him, nor were there any people or groups at the school that were too religious either. Fayez was just another kid at East Hills, his name would pop around here and there but nothing serious so it actually shocked me when I heard what he had done.” It is believed reformed radical Fayez met Elmir at Bankstown Central shopping centre — where his dad owns a hairdressing salon just metres from where the teenage terrorist worked at a butcher’s shop. Another former East Hills Boys student recently wrote on Facebook that he felt frustrated by the school’s attitude when concerns about radicalisation were raised. “It was highly frowned upon while attending to openly state the possibility of these exact acts taking place,” he wrote. “Considered an act of ‘discrimination’ … so much for being labelled mendacious and discriminatory, turns out it was just the truth.” An Education Department spokesman said: “The safety and welfare of students is of paramount importance. Anti-social behaviour of any kind is not tolerated ... “If any staff member or student sees or hears of anything that concerns them regarding anti-social or inappropriate behaviour they should report it immediately to the principal.” Many East Hills boys high school students are concerned over the graffiti. Many East Hills boys high school students are concerned over the graffiti. Parents at the East Hills Public School told The Saturday Telegraph they were so worried by extremism at the high school they had reconsidered sending their kids there. “It’s definitely a concern from people in the public school. They are worried about security. They are worried they may come over to the school. It’s a hysteria kind of thing,” said Nadine Blake. “ ... We’ve got no problem with the Muslim community. We are in an area where there are a lot of Muslim students … A lot of people are worried. Parents want a meeting at the school so they know ... (East Hills Boys High) have it under control.” (dailytelegraph.au/news/nsw/federal-police-probe-into-western-sydney-school-where-isis-graffiti-was-sprayed-afp-issues-nationwide-terror-warning-to-teachers/story-fni0cx12-1227109011263)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:08:00 +0000
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