A significant ruling has restricted Islamist preacher Wissam Haddad, associated with the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Sydney, from making derogatory comments about Jewish people in his speeches. Known as Abu Ousayd, Haddad faced allegations of racial discrimination due to a series of inflammatory sermons that gained considerable online traction since November 2023. In these sermons, he labelled Jewish individuals as vile, treacherous, and murderous.
Justice Angus Stewart determined that Haddad’s remarks were not only disparaging but also likely to offend and intimidate the Jewish community. The judge highlighted that these comments perpetuated long-standing racist and anti-Semitic tropes, making sweeping generalisations about Jewish people as a collective.
During the case, Jewish leaders expressed concerns that Haddad’s sermons could incite violence against Jews, prompting them to seek the removal of the speeches, a public correction, and a court order preventing him from making similar remarks in the future. Haddad defended his statements by asserting that he was discussing historical and religious contexts relevant to current events, specifically regarding the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, claiming he referred to “Jews of faith” rather than ethnicity.
Haddad’s defence argued that ruling against him could infringe on religious expression rights. However, Justice Stewart dismissed this argument and mandated the removal of the sermons, forbidding any future disparaging comments from Haddad. Additionally, he is liable for the legal costs of the Jewish leaders involved in the case.
The judgement came during a sensitive period of heightened tensions following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which has resulted in severe repercussions in the Gaza Strip. The climate surrounding this conflict has caused increased anxiety among both Haddad’s followers and the Jewish Australian community.