An Australian imam named Imam Hamza, associated with the MyCentre mosque in Broadmeadows, has denied any connection to an Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a FlyDubai flight headed for Tel Aviv on September 30. The UAE prosecutors claim that the co-pilot, who had studied engineering at RMIT University in Melbourne, was radicalized through extremist literature and online content as early as 2017 while studying abroad. Imam Hamza responded with a social media post criticizing false accusations but did not directly address the allegations against him or the mosque.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In September 2023, Hammam Al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, attempted to hijack a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, Al-Hammami attacked his co-pilot with an axe and was trying to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Emirati authorities claim that while studying at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, Al-Hammami became radicalized and linked with extremist literature and online content promoting terrorism.
The UAE attorney-general stated that during interrogation, Al-Hammami admitted to preparing psychologically and physically for the attack by training in boxing and intensifying his exposure to terrorist-promoting material. The suspect is alleged to have been influenced while attending a mosque affiliated with RMIT University and connected with MyCentre, a local Islamic community center managed by an imam known as Abu Hamza or Samir Mohtadi.
In response, Imam Mohtadi released statements on social media criticizing what he described as "false accusations" without addressing the specific allegations against him or MyCentre. He stated that righteous individuals are often attacked and abused but did not provide direct comment regarding his alleged role in Al-Hammami's radicalization process.
Written for “Flydubai Hijack Probe Imams Links” on 2026-10-12,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
A Melbourne imam whose Islamic community centre has been linked to the co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain of a FlyDubai jet aircraft has broken his silence on social media.
uncertain
who → link → media
Prosecutors in the UAE said investigators believe the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot had begun carrying out a premeditated terrorist plot to seize flight FZ1073, which had 150 Israelis among other passengers on board, on 30 September.
asserted
which → say → September
The prosecutors alleged that the plan to crash the plane was inspired by the 9/11 attacks on the US.
asserted
plan → allege → US
Their probe found the co-pilot first became radicalised while studying in Australia through "reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks” as early as 2017.
asserted
pilot → find → 2017
The prosecutor alleged the co-pilot met people associated with the MyCentre mosque in Broadmeadows, which was managed by a Lebanese man named Abu Hamza.
asserted
which → allege → man
Imam Hamza, also known as Samir Mohtadi, is the leader of the mosque.
asserted
Hamza → know → mosque
Neither Hamza nor the mosque has been accused of wrongdoing by the UAE authorities.
asserted
Hamza → accuse → authorities
Imam Hamza, in a social media post, issued a response criticising "false accusations" but did not directly respond to the allegations.
“You find those who are righteous; they’ve always been attacked, abused, accused, killed, imprisoned – and this is the way it is," he said.
asserted
he → issue → those
He recounted a story of Mary or Maryam in Islam being accused of wrongdoing, to which he said she responded: "I swear by Allah, I'm not going to speak to anyone."
asserted
I → recount → anyone
Imam Hamza added: "I’m going to fast from talking because there are circumstances, my beloved brothers and respected sisters, regardless of how much you explain yourself to people, that’s it, they’re fixated with their ideas – and that’s it.
"
asserted
that → add → ideas
You can’t change them.
asserted
You → change → them
So the best thing, sometimes, is not to say anything.”
asserted
thing → say → anything
Hamza is an Imam of the mosque and community leader, according to reports.
uncertain
Hamza → accord → reports
The co-pilot on the Tel Aviv-bound flight used an emergency axe to attack the plane’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar.
asserted
pilot → bind → captain
The incident caused the airliner to plunge 16,000ft in 30 seconds before two other pilots were able to take control and guide the aircraft to safety in Saudi Arabia.
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pilots → cause → Arabia
The UAE authorities alleged he was trying to take control of the plane to crash it into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
asserted
he → allege → Aviv
UAE officials have not identified the suspect; however, media reports have identified him as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
asserted
reports → identify → Hammami
The Sydney Morning Herald last week unearthed tweets from the co-pilot's now-deleted X account in which he allegedly referred to his five years spent studying abroad as "the golden years of my religious commitment".
uncertain
he → unearth → commitment
RMIT University in Melbourne confirmed that the co-pilot had studied engineering, but did not complete his degree.
asserted
pilot → confirm → degree
Police have also said the man was in New Zealand between November 2018 and May 2019 on a six-month student visa to complete a portion of his flight training for a UK-based company.
uncertain
man → say → company
The president of the Sydney-based Australian Federation of Islamic Councils said that the body "stood firmly" with MyCentre and its leadership.
asserted
body → base → MyCentre
Rateb Jneid said: "Community organisations that have spent years supporting young people and families should not have their reputations damaged through speculation or guilt by association."
asserted
reputations → say → association
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team said it was "investigating the man's links to Australia".
asserted
it → say → Australia
The Aporia
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