(Paul Shapiro’s post from the DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA on 19 December 2025.)
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| Wissam Haddad's Bankstown Mosque. |
Outspoken
Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad has broken his silence, claiming there's 'no
evidence' he had a relationship with the prime suspect in the Bondi terror
attack. Haddad delivered antisemitic lectures at an Islamic centre frequented
by alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram, who has been charged with 15 counts of
murder.
Akram,
24, is understood to have attended Al Madina Dawah Centre before allegedly
carrying out Sunday's massacre with his father, Sajid Akram. Haddad, who is not
suggested to have had any prior knowledge of the attacks or any involvement,
denied claims that Naveed was one of his followers.
The Islamic preacher shared a statement via encrypted messaging app Telegram on Thursday evening. 'This claim is undefined and misleading,' Haddad wrote. 'The term "follower" is not explained and could refer to something as minimal as a social media follow, which does not establish endorsement, influence or a personal relationship. No evidence has been produced showing any personal, organisational, or instructional link between Naveed Akram and Wissam Haddad.'
Haddad
also said the claims his lectures were 'provocative' amounted to 'subjective
opinion.' 'Australia brands itself as a liberal democracy where controversial
or unpopular speech is lawful unless it breaches specific legal thresholds,' he
said. Haddad also denied reports he was a 'spiritual leader of ISIS in
Australia,' pointing out 'there is no evidence to support this allegation.' The
Al Madina Dawah Centre issued a statement on Monday saying Haddad had no role
there other than 'occasional invitations as a guest speaker.'
Haddad forced to remove ‘racist and antisemitic’ sermons
Earlier this year, Haddad was ordered by a
Federal Court judge to take down a series of 'fundamentally racist and
antisemitic' sermons. Haddad was also successfully sued by the Executive
Council of Australian Jewry over speeches he gave at the Al Madina Dawah Centre
at Bankstown in November 2023, which were also posted online.
Haddad
made vile remarks that Jewish people were 'vile,' 'mischievous' and
'treacherous' people who were the 'descendants of pigs and monkeys.' Haddad,
who also told his followers to 'spit on Israel,' made a video which featured a
sword prior to the Federal Court legal action in which he warned, 'we are not
going to come unarmed, we're going to fight them with everything that we have.'
The
preacher's comments came after a video of accused Bondi-beach gunman Naveed
preaching on the streets of western Sydney emerged. 'Assalamualaikum [peace be
upon you], brothers,' Naveed says the selfie video posted to social media in
June 2019.
'We're
here at Bankstown Station, spreading dawah [invitations], doing the work of the
prophet, continuing the work of the prophet. 'We need to spread the message
that Allah is one, and Muhammad is the last messenger of Allah. Guys, spread
dawah wherever you can. Spread the message that Allah is one wherever you can.
Spread the message by pamphlets, whether it be raining, hailing or clear sky.
Allah will reward you for whatever action you do in his cause.'
Naveed and father Sajid charged in Bondi Hanukkah massacre
On
Wednesday, Naveed was charged with 59 offences including 15 counts of murder.
The attack occurred just before 7pm on Sunday, when Naveed and his father
Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi
Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring 40 more.
Akram,
who allegedly shot at a crowd of hundreds alongside his father Sajid - was
charged after he spent two days in a coma after being shot by police. The
charges against him include one count of committing a terrorist act, one count
of discharging a firearm in public, one count of causing a public display of a
prohibited terrorist symbol, one count of placing an explosive in or near a
building with intent to cause harm, and 40 counts of wounding with intent to
murder.
'Police
will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious
injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the
community,' NSW Police said in a statement. 'Early indications point to a
terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in
Australia.'
His
father, Sajid, was fatally shot by police during the nine-minute attack.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said no others were
expected to be charged. 'There is no evidence to suggest other individuals were
involved in this attack, however, we caution that this could change given it is
early in our investigation,' she said.
