THE Jouds have tightly guarded the front door of their lavish, double-storey Morris Road home since last Tuesday when police took away their 21-year-old son, Aiman.
Ironically, his father Mahmoud kept the door open the night of the 2.20am raid, suspicious their Hoppers Crossing home was under surveillance following a police visit in June.
Last week the family spoke through a crack in the double wooden doors – exhausted, afraid and refusing to answer more questions.
Parked on the street outside the home, Aiman’s white Ford Laser – the contents obviously disturbed after a search by police officers – was the only trace left of the raid.
Floor mats, shoes, cassettes and an Islamic prayer book were among the bags of concrete and building plans on the seats and floor.
A letter from ASIO on the back seat indicated it had seized some of Aiman’s computer equipment, while another from the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court detailed an adjournment to a court hearing.
Aiman was convicted in January of theft, firearms and driving offences.
He was sentenced in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court to a month in jail.
Neighbours of the Lebanese family said they were unaware of the raid, hearing about it only on news broadcasts the following morning.
A man, who identified himself only as Mick, has lived on the street for almost 20 years and said the family members kept to themselves, but he often saw many cars coming and going.
• More on the arrests on Pages 5 and 7.
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Wyndham’s Muslim community has distanced itself from the arrest, saying it has nothing to do with them or their religion.
Tasneem Chopra, member of the Werribee Islamic Centre and vice chair of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council, said the majority of Wyndham’s thousands of Muslims would know nothing about terrorism.
“It was a fringe within a fringe within a fringe. We are a mainstream part of the community and have nothing to hide.
“We just want to go about our business.”
But Ms Chopra acknowledged the risk of religious stereotyping after such dramatic arrests.
During evening prayers last Tuesday, four young men on motorbikes pelted eggs at the Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque on Hogans Road, shocking local worshippers.
Police chief Shane Dowling offered extra patrols around the mosque following the attack.
Omar Hallak, principal of the 1050-student Islamic Schools of Victoria (Werribee College) said he also feared other Muslims could become scapegoats.
“I ask Allah and ask Gold to save us and to save this country,” he said.
Greg Aplin, Wyndham’s municipal emergency resources office said terrorism attacks were one of several potential threats identified in the city’s community emergency risk management plan.
“We plan for floods and fires, and since 2001, we’ve planned for terrorism too.”
