Closure of Controversial Sydney Islamic Prayer Hall Following Bondi Attack

The closure of the Al Madina Dawah centre in Bankstown, Sydney, is a direct consequence of the Bondi massacre, which occurred last month. This incident has led to increased scrutiny of places of worship associated with controversial figures, particularly cleric Wisam Haddad. The Canterbury Bankstown council issued a “cease use” directive to the centre after determining it was operating unlawfully, having never received approval to function as a prayer hall.

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On January 14, 2026, the Al Madina Dawah centre announced its permanent closure via a Facebook post, following the council's directive. The council's investigation revealed that the centre had only recently been approved to operate as a medical facility, not as a place of worship. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns supported the council's actions, emphasizing the need for stronger powers to shut down unlawful religious premises as part of a broader initiative to combat “factories of hate.”

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The Canterbury Bankstown council confirmed that the cease use notices were effective immediately, stating, “There are no compromises, and we will be taking further action if they don’t comply.” The Al Madina Group, which manages the centre, asserted its independence from Haddad, stating, “We reject any attempt to conflate administrative or planning matters with allegations of extremism, national security, or criminal conduct.” They also indicated plans to temporarily pause operations to comply with council requirements.

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While the new laws aim to prevent hate speech and unlawful operations, they have drawn criticism from civil liberties organizations. Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, expressed concerns about the potential infringement on freedom of religion, stating that councils are ill-equipped for such responsibilities. Opposition leader Natalie Ward accused the government of inadequately addressing rising antisemitism and failing to support comprehensive solutions.

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The Minns government plans to introduce further legislative measures to address hate speech and unlawful religious activities. Councils will now be required to consult with NSW police before granting approvals for religious premises, although police will not have veto power. This reform is intended to clarify the authority of councils in shutting down unlawful places of worship while ensuring community safety.

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Media reports have suggested that Naveed Akram, one of the alleged gunmen in the Bondi attack, was linked to Haddad's Dawah preaching movement. However, Haddad's lawyer has denied any connection, stating, “No evidence has been produced showing any personal, organisational or instructional link between Naveed Akram and Wisam Haddad.” This discrepancy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the narrative of extremism and its implications for community relations.

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• “The Al Madina Dawah centre is permanently closed,” — Al Madina Group

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• “This reform is aimed squarely at shutting down ‘factories of hate’ – places that operate unlawfully while promoting hatred, intimidation or division within the community,” — Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales

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• “rejects any attempt to conflate administrative or planning mutters with allegations of extremism, national security, or criminal conduct” — Al Madina Group

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