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Saturday, Jun 14, 2025
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Court Hears Defense in Anti-Semitism Case Against Sydney Islamic Preacher
Wissam Haddad denies allegations of anti-Semitic remarks amid legal proceedings following controversial speeches.
A Sydney-based Islamic preacher, Wissam Haddad, has denied allegations of making anti-Semitic remarks during a series of speeches, as he took the stand in the Federal Court on Wednesday.
The case was brought forth by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), represented by co-CEO Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, claiming that Haddad's comments breach the Racial Discrimination Act following the recent escalation of conflict involving Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Haddad faces accusations of using inflammatory language, including labeling Jews as 'vile', 'treacherous', 'descended from apes and pigs', and 'hiding like the rats that they are' during a lecture series titled "The Jews of Al Madina." During cross-examination, Haddad explained that his comments were references to Jewish groups in the context of historical narratives from the Quran and Hadith, specifically aligned with the experiences of Jews during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, asserting that certain events parallel current situations in Israel and Palestine.
The preacher emphasized that his remarks were aimed at 'Jews of faith, not ethnicity', maintaining that he quoted religious scriptures regarding interactions between Jewish and Muslim people from the 7th century.
Under scrutiny, Haddad refuted claims that he intended to generalize all Jewish people as 'mischievous' or 'murderous', stating his commentary was focused solely on Jews in positions of power in Israel.
Central to the legal proceedings is the determination of whether Haddad's speeches were delivered in a public or private setting.
The case revolves around five speeches made at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, where Haddad is a co-founder.
These speeches, made in November 2023 and subsequently posted online, have accumulated thousands of views.
The plaintiffs seek not only the removal of these allegedly racist speeches but also injunctive relief to prevent Haddad from making similar statements in the future.
Haddad was questioned regarding the platforms associated with the Al Madina Dawah Centre and his social media activity, with lawyers highlighting his significant online presence, including a personal Instagram account with approximately 10,000 followers, as well as the Centre's use of various social media channels.
The defense contended that Haddad's comments were not meant for a broader audience, characterizing the remarks as private, intended for a Muslim audience.
In response to queries about the dissemination of his speeches, Haddad agreed that videos were made for potential publication but denied direct involvement in uploading the materials to public platforms.
The prosecution's argument hinges on the assertion that Haddad’s content is deliberately crafted for public engagement, aiming to evoke controversy.
Witness testimonies from the Jewish community presented in court described the emotional impact of Haddad's speeches, often first encountered through media reports.
One witness expressed concern for safety, reflecting a sentiment that Haddad's comments incited fear within the Jewish community.
The proceedings continue to unravel the nuances of intent and public perception in relation to Haddad's remarks.
The case was brought forth by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), represented by co-CEO Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, claiming that Haddad's comments breach the Racial Discrimination Act following the recent escalation of conflict involving Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Haddad faces accusations of using inflammatory language, including labeling Jews as 'vile', 'treacherous', 'descended from apes and pigs', and 'hiding like the rats that they are' during a lecture series titled "The Jews of Al Madina." During cross-examination, Haddad explained that his comments were references to Jewish groups in the context of historical narratives from the Quran and Hadith, specifically aligned with the experiences of Jews during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, asserting that certain events parallel current situations in Israel and Palestine.
The preacher emphasized that his remarks were aimed at 'Jews of faith, not ethnicity', maintaining that he quoted religious scriptures regarding interactions between Jewish and Muslim people from the 7th century.
Under scrutiny, Haddad refuted claims that he intended to generalize all Jewish people as 'mischievous' or 'murderous', stating his commentary was focused solely on Jews in positions of power in Israel.
Central to the legal proceedings is the determination of whether Haddad's speeches were delivered in a public or private setting.
The case revolves around five speeches made at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, where Haddad is a co-founder.
These speeches, made in November 2023 and subsequently posted online, have accumulated thousands of views.
The plaintiffs seek not only the removal of these allegedly racist speeches but also injunctive relief to prevent Haddad from making similar statements in the future.
Haddad was questioned regarding the platforms associated with the Al Madina Dawah Centre and his social media activity, with lawyers highlighting his significant online presence, including a personal Instagram account with approximately 10,000 followers, as well as the Centre's use of various social media channels.
The defense contended that Haddad's comments were not meant for a broader audience, characterizing the remarks as private, intended for a Muslim audience.
In response to queries about the dissemination of his speeches, Haddad agreed that videos were made for potential publication but denied direct involvement in uploading the materials to public platforms.
The prosecution's argument hinges on the assertion that Haddad’s content is deliberately crafted for public engagement, aiming to evoke controversy.
Witness testimonies from the Jewish community presented in court described the emotional impact of Haddad's speeches, often first encountered through media reports.
One witness expressed concern for safety, reflecting a sentiment that Haddad's comments incited fear within the Jewish community.
The proceedings continue to unravel the nuances of intent and public perception in relation to Haddad's remarks.
