Hawzah News Agency (Sydney - Australia) - Just before 7pm on Sunday, officers were called to the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, following reports of extensive vandalism.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, smashed several items, including handmade antique chandeliers and 13 large windows, causing an estimated $100,000 worth of damage.
The incident occurred between prayer times, meaning that there were only about 15 to 20 people at the mosque, several of whom fled, a spokesman from the mosque said.
"Based on some of his utterances, it is clear to us that his motives were anti-Turkish and tied to events overseas," chairman of the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation Abdurrahman Asaroglu said
"Being such an iconic Turkish mosque, we have unfortunately become a lightning rod for anyone wanting to express their anti-Muslim or anti-Turk sentiment.
"We are a local mosque focused on serving the needs of our local community here in Sydney, including the promotion of peace and harmony between all communities calling Australia home.
"Such attacks, inspired by imported hate from faraway lands, have no place here in Australia. They aim to divide our communities by pitting us against each other and [ripping] apart the social fabric that binds our communities.
"The Auburn Gallipoli Mosque will continue to spread the message of peace and harmony in Australia and fight the scourge of hate and division wherever we see it."
Police arrested the man at the scene and he was taken to Auburn police station. He was charged with destroying or damaging property of more than $15,000, as well as breaching bail.
He appeared at Burwood Local Court on Monday, where a magistrate ordered a mental health assessment be done.
A complete assessment of damage and repairs were to be conducted on Monday and police inquiries are continuing.
NSW acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee strongly condemned the incident.
"It was disgraceful, offensive and not Australian," he said.
"The NSW government strongly condemns any form of violence and vandalism, which are never tolerated in our community.
"Places of religious worship are sacrosanct and the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque is a valuable member of our harmonious society.
"On behalf of the NSW government, I express my deepest sympathies to its members, our Australian Islamic community and members of all faiths."