Malaysia Airlines passenger Muhammad Arif accused of shutting down Sydney Airport with ‘slaves of Allah’ rant to remain behind bars

A man accused of making an alarming bomb threat on board a Malaysia Airlines flight will remain behind bars on remand for two months amid concerns for his mental health.

Muhammad Arif caused chaos on the plane flight earlier this week when he allegedly claimed to have a bomb in his bag and ranted at airline crew.

The flight had been destined for Kuala Lumpur but it was forced to return to Sydney after the 45-year-old allegedly began loudly claiming to be a ‘slave of Allah’.

In one video posted to social media by another traveller, he can be seen arguing with flight attendants and ranting about Allah.

‘Are you a slave of Allah? Are you? Say it. Say it. Are you a slave of Allah?’ he said.

Mr Arif was arrested and charged with not complying with a cabin crew’s safety instruction and making a false statement about a threat to damage an aircraft.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

He was due to appear in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Friday to make a bail application, but his lawyer Khaled Dib instead asked for an adjournment.

His behaviour caused the pilot to make a mid-air U-turn. Picture: Muhammad Zubair

He explained Mr Arif was still waiting to be assessed by a mental health professional after his legal team previously explained he had ‘serious’ mental health issues.

Once a mental health assessment report is completed, the court heard the parties will discuss whether he is fit to proceed.

Magistrate Greg Grogin adjourned the hearing until October to allow ample time for the report to be generated.

It’s the third time this week the matter has been adjourned after two aborted bail hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, in which Mr Arif refused to leave his cell.

He allegedly asked passengers if they were ‘slaves to Allah’. Picture: YouTube

He has been in custody for four days. Picture: YouTube

He will remain in custody on remand for two months until the matter returns to court.

The 45-year-old has already spent four nights behind bars after he was arrested on Monday night when Australian Federal Police swarmed the plane.

Nearly 200 passengers sat on the tarmac at Sydney International Airport for three hours before Mr Arif was placed in handcuffs and removed from the plane.