Australian Grand Mufti calls for readdressing of anti-terror methods

The Grand Mufti of Australia has said the current strategies to combat the threat terrorism are not working, calling for a comprehensive readdressing of anti-terror methods in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

Condemning the attacks that killed more than 130 people and injured nearly 350 others in Paris on Friday night, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed said in a statement late on Sunday night causative factors including Islamophobia, racism and "duplicitous foreign policies and military intervention" must be readdressed.

"These incidents highlight the fact that the current strategies to deal with the treat of terrorism are not working," Mohammed said.

Mohammed credited those who called for calm and responsibility as apportioning blame or stigmatizing "a certain segment of society" only undermines community harmony and safety.

"We call upon all people of goodwill to stand against fearmongering and injustice," Mohammed said.

However, former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott told Macquarie radio on Monday there should be a movement inside Islam which calls out extremism.

"What we do need I think is a movement inside Islam which makes it absolutely crystal clear that anything that smacks of death to the infidel is wrong," Abbott said.

Abbott said not only does Australia have to tackle the "would-be terrorist empire" at home and abroad, but also confront its vicious ideology.

Meanwhile reports of a Syrian passport found near one of the Paris suicide bombers was used to enter Europe via Greece as a refugee has raised concerns among locals about Syrian refugees entering Australia.

It is reported that Australian diplomats in the Middle East have been told to ensure strict security checks being carried out for the 12,000 refugees to be resettled in Australia following the mass refugee migration.

"We will not rush resettling people until this has been done. The government's number one priority is protecting Australians," Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told the News Corp.

Australian counter-terrorism and security agencies are on high alert for copycat attacks, however Attorney-General George Brandis said there is no evidence of any connection between what happened in Paris and Australia's current security situation.

"Whenever an event of this kind occurs then obviously it is encouragement to other like-minded people," Brandis told Australia's national broadcaster on Monday.

"The national security agencies and the police are very alert to ensure there isn't any copycat behaviour in Australia."

The situation is under "constant" review with Australia's domestic security agencies monitoring approximately 400 individuals, while Australia's terror alert level remains at "high," indicating an attack is likely.

Brandis called for calm and restraint, saying working with Australia's Muslim community was "absolutely essential."

"The worst thing we could to is to alienate the Muslim community," Brandis said. Enditem