Naveed and Sajid Akram, a father-son duo, are allegedly being investigated for their involvement in a recent terror attack in Australia. Naveed, 24, who was born in Australia, says his father Sajid, 50, emigrated from India in 1998. According to reports, both men traveled to the Philippines late last year, a hotspot with a long history of connection to Islamic extremism. Australian authorities think they might have received military-style training while on their trip.
The Akram family had been on the radar of law enforcement due to the radical Islamic threads they are tied into. Though Sajid Akram was a legally registered gun owner, police confiscated six guns from him after the attack. In 2019, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) investigated Naveed Akram for six months but ultimately deemed him not a threat. What he was up to in the meantime, notably taking up Quran lessons at Al Murad Institute, has officials alarmed.
November 1, 1925, the two men traveled to the Philippines. Sajid was able to travel with an Indian passport, and Naveed used an Australian passport. They returned on November 28, 2025. Further investigation indicates that their journey likely included counter radicalization training contributing to extremist behavior stemming from Australia.
The Investigation into the Akram Family
Naveed Akram came onto authorities’ radars, at least in part, following his six-month investigation by ASIO in 2019. Although much of it was cleared at the moment, this has come into much sharper focus given the events of the last few weeks. Naveed’s sustained pursuit of Quran studies during this period leads us to wonder who or what ideological forces were driving him, and whether he was radicalized.
Naveed increased his English lessons at Al Murad Institute to full time, for a period of one year. Sheikh Adam Ismail, a respected community elder, publicly denounced the violent activity linked to the Akram family. His statement touched the hearts of all who long for peace and togetherness. He stated:
“I condemn this act of violence without any hesitation.” – Sheikh Adam Ismail
Understanding this case and others like it would further point to a significant need for more research on how to identify people who are susceptible to extremist ideologies. Sheikh Ismail further noted that not all who study religious texts fully embrace or understand them:
“Not everyone who recites the Quran understands it or lives by its teachings, and sadly, this appears to be the case here.” – Sheikh Adam Ismail
Concerns About Radicalization
The probe of the Akrams has drawn the interest of Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese. He is now calling for a re-evaluation of the intelligence assessments conducted in 2019 concerning Naveed. Albanese emphasized the need to scrutinize the systems in place for monitoring potential threats:
“We need to examine exactly the way that systems work.” – Anthony Albanese
Mal Lanyon, a senior official involved in the investigation, reiterated the ongoing inquiry into the reasons behind the Akrams’ trip to the Philippines. He stated:
“Antisemitism, of course, has been around for a very long period of time – that’s the point. Islamic State is an ideology that, tragically, over the last decade…has led to a radicalization of some people to this extreme position, and it is a hateful action.” – Anthony Albanese
Lanyon dismissed claims that there had been an intelligence failure regarding Naveed’s earlier investigation:
“The reasons why they went to the Philippines and the purpose of that and where they went when they were there is under investigation at the moment.” – Mal Lanyon
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) points out that the Islamic State in Eastern Asia (ISEA) remains a serious threat. The Philippines is considered a potential attractor for foreign terrorist fighters looking for training and links to a broader extremist network.
“I don’t believe it was an intelligence failure at all.” – Mal Lanyon
The Threat from Extremism
Investigations into Naveed and Sajid Akram’s ties to extremism continue. At the same time, Australian authorities are facing increasing demands to protect public safety and strengthen their oversight apparatus.
“ISEA remains a deadly terrorist threat in the Philippines, with the Southeast Asia country a target destination for foreign terrorist fighters,” – ASIO
As investigations continue into Naveed and Sajid Akram’s connections with extremism, Australian authorities face increasing pressure to ensure public safety and address potential gaps in their monitoring systems.
