NSW Police Under Scrutiny Following Disruption of Muslim Prayer at Protest

On February 6, 2026, during a protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) police disrupted a group of Muslims who were praying. This incident has prompted calls from various Muslim organizations for an apology from NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. While Lanyon has reportedly apologized to some community leaders, significant factions within the Muslim community, including the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), have stated they did not receive any communication or apology.

The Guardian

In response to the incident, Lanyon acknowledged the disruption, stating, “I’ve made contact with senior members of the Muslim community and have apologised for any offence that may have been taken.” However, he defended the police's actions as necessary to manage the crowd, which he claimed was becoming increasingly aggressive. NSW Premier Chris Minns also commented, asserting that neither the police nor the government intended to cause offense and that discussions with Islamic community leaders would take place to address concerns.

The Guardian

The Lebanese Muslim Association and AFIC have expressed dissatisfaction with the police's response. Hajj Gamel Kheir, a spokesperson for the Lebanese Muslim Association, emphasized that a lack of a public apology would signal that disrupting religious practices is permissible, potentially fostering an environment of Islamophobia. Rateb Jneid, president of AFIC, echoed this sentiment, stating that no apology had been received from Lanyon or the premier.

The Guardian

The protest was marked by further allegations of police violence, including an incident involving a 16-year-old boy named Nedal, who claimed he was assaulted by police while attending the protest with his family. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley attributed the chaos to the protest organizers, the Palestine Action Group, suggesting they should apologize to those affected. Catley stated that complaints against police actions would be investigated thoroughly.

The Guardian

Following the protest, NSW police arrested 27 individuals, with nine facing charges for various offenses, including assaulting police and behaving offensively. The police are currently reviewing footage from the event to assess their response and the actions of the protesters. In a subsequent protest organized by the Palestine Action Group, speakers called for the dismissal of all charges against those arrested and demanded accountability from the police.

The Guardian

• “I’ve made contact with senior members of the Muslim community and have apologised for any offence that may have been taken for those that were in a religious prayer,” — Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner

The Guardian

• “anything less would be an insult to the Muslim community and a dangerous signal that attacking or disrupting public worship can now be done with impunity - and that Islamophobia is not only tolerated, but condoned and supported by police and government” — Hajj Gamel Kheir, Lebanese Muslim Association

The Guardian

• “I will, because that was a deliberate attack on my son … who did nothing, just stand up for humanity” — Kefah Maradweh, Nedal's mother

The Guardian

• “We agreed that we need to work through this, in a very constructive manner, but right now we demand immediate actions, an apology from the NSW police, and a public inquiry into why this take place,” — Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, President of ANIC

The Guardian

The incident has sparked significant outrage within the Muslim community, leading to demands for accountability from the NSW police and a public inquiry into the events surrounding the protest. As discussions continue between police officials and community leaders, the situation remains tense, with many awaiting a formal response from the authorities.

The Guardian