Sydney Prayer Hall Linked to Bondi Attack Shuts Down Permanently

Melbourne, January 14: A controversial prayer hall in southwest Sydney, the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, has been permanently closed after coming under intense scrutiny following the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack.

The City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council issued a “cease use” order to the centre on December 23, after it was revealed that the venue had been operating as a prayer hall without proper approval. Council records dating back to 1970 show the premises had never been authorised for use as a prayer hall and was only approved to operate as a medical centre.

The closure followed media reports that Naveed Akram, one of the alleged Bondi attackers, had previously been a regular attendee at the centre. At the time, the centre was run by controversial Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd.

Wissam Haddad leaves the Supreme Court last July after Australia’s peak Jewish body launched legal action against the Islamic preacher and a Western Sydney religious centre over alleged antisemitic speeches. Photo: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Although the current operators said Haddad no longer holds any management role at the centre, the connection triggered national concern. Federal Senator James Paterson described the centre as a “factory of hate” and joined calls for it to be shut down.

In a brief social media post on Wednesday, the new management confirmed:
“Al Madina Dawah Centre is permanently closed.”

Last July, the Federal Court ordered Wissam Haddad to remove several lectures he delivered at the centre from social media after ruling they contained “fundamentally racist and antisemitic” material. Haddad argued the speeches were based on religious texts, including the Quran, and did not target Australian Jewish people.

In the wake of the Bondi attack, Jewish groups have also raised serious concerns about proposed changes to Australia’s hate speech laws. Draft legislation would allow a defence for speech that directly quotes religious texts for the purpose of religious teaching or discussion, which community leaders fear could place extremist preachers “beyond the reach of prosecution”.

Haddad has never been charged with terrorism-related offences and has denied any link to the Bondi attack. He previously said he “vehemently denies any knowledge of or involvement in the shootings”.

The Bondi terror attack occurred on December 14, when Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, allegedly opened fire on people celebrating Chanukah by the Sea, killing 15 people and injuring several others. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with dozens of offences, including 15 counts of murder.

The permanent closure of the Al Madina Dawah Centre marks a significant step in the response to the attack, as authorities continue to review the role of extremist networks and hate preachers in Australia.