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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The federal government has cancelled a $670,000 grant promised to a mosque in Dandenong on the grounds of \u201csocial cohesion concerns\u201d after it mourned the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.<\/p>\n Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said on Wednesday afternoon she would not give funding to the Taha Humanity Association of Victoria after it reportedly held a service this week to mark the Iranian leader\u2019s death.<\/p>\n In a video seen by this masthead, Labor MP Julian Hill promised funding before the 2025 federal election to \u201csupport the next stage of community facilities\u201d at the Taha Centre.<\/p>\n However, the Shiite Muslim organisation drew scrutiny in parliament on Tuesday when Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan said the group had mourned a \u201cbrutal dictator\u201d.<\/p>\n Khamenei, who was also a religious leader in Shiite Islam, was killed by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran over the weekend.<\/p>\n Aly said she had asked her department to halt the grant process after becoming aware of content posted online.<\/p>\n A video of a service \u201cin honour of His Eminence Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei\u201d has since been scrubbed from the Taha Association\u2019s social media channels.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Aly confirmed the commitment had been ditched.<\/p>\n \u201cDue to social cohesion concerns, I\u2019ve decided to not go ahead with a grant for the Taha Humanity Association,\u201d she said in a brief statement.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cWe are not proceeding with this election commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n Liberal senator James Paterson welcomed the decision and said Khamenei had led a terrorist organisation that had attacked Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad that it\u2019s happened,\u201d Paterson told the ABC\u2019s Afternoon Briefing on Wednesday. \u201cBut I think we do have to ask some questions about the due diligence of the Albanese government.\u201d<\/p>\n Hill said on Tuesday that his Liberal opponent in the south-east Melbourne seat of Bruce had \u201cturned up and announced double the money\u201d after his initial pledge last year, but told parliament the promise would be reviewed.<\/p>\n \u201cAyatollah Khamenei was an evil dictator. I don\u2019t mourn his death,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n The Shia Muslim Council of Australia, however, said Khamenei \u2013 the long-time leader of Iran\u2019s complex theocracy \u2013 was also regarded as a senior religious authority.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever one\u2019s political position, acknowledging grief is not an endorsement of policy,\u201d the council said in statement. \u201cIt is a recognition of humanity. Our community\u2019s mourning deserves to be understood in that light.\u201d<\/p>\n Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, however, said on Monday that several reported mourning events were \u201cinappropriate\u201d while Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan labelled vigils \u201cinsulting\u201d.<\/p>\n Many within the Iranian diaspora have also condemned Khamenei memorials<\/a> and have celebrated his death.<\/a><\/p>\n The Taha Humanity Association of Victoria has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.<\/a><\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Multicultural](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/661a98208d0a8899b94d5d661b369b27866cf490.jpeg\")
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly.Alex Ellinghausen<\/p>\n![\"Supreme](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/13a0421024b1551bef3936b78957d961b3fd8d31.jpeg\")
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran.AP<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/95e3940fce69930d42fbf0438ce4c9719f4b60b1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Labor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3c7f6b28602f027b91f04efa1e009fa299133067.jpeg\")
Labor MP Julian Hill, the assistant minister for citizenship, customs and multicultural affairs.Eamon Gallagher<\/p>\n![\"Iranian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a7f412031fcff871579d13ada13d382c8d501816.jpeg\")
Iranian diaspora gather at the Victoria\u2019s Parliament House after the death of\u00a0Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Luis Enrique Ascui<\/p>\n