NSW Police Commissioner Faces Calls for Apology to Muslim Community After Prayer Incident
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has been urged to issue a public apology to the entire Muslim community following an incident where officers disrupted a group of people praying during protests in Sydney. The controversy stems from Monday's demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit, where police were filmed pulling individuals from prayer lines in what was described as "unhinged and aggressive" conduct.
Conflicting Accounts of Apology Outreach
Commissioner Lanyon stated he had contacted senior Muslim community leaders to apologise for any offence caused during the religious observance. "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," Lanyon told 2GB radio. However, he defended police actions as necessary for crowd dispersal, stating officers were "required to actually start dispersing the crowd" due to protesters' movements.
While the Australian National Imams Council confirmed receiving an apology from Lanyon, other prominent Muslim organisations reported no such contact. Rateb Jneid, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, stated unequivocally: "Certainly no apology has been provided by him or the premier to the community through Afic."
Community Demands and Government Response
The Lebanese Muslim Association has demanded a public apology to the entire Muslim community, with spokesperson Hajj Gamel Kheir warning that "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." Kheir further expressed concern that such actions might indicate "Islamophobia is not only tolerated, but condoned and supported by police and government."
Premier Chris Minns has acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation, telling Guardian Australia that "no one, not police nor the government, would have set out to cause offence" regarding the incident. The government has committed to meeting with Islamic community leaders to "listen, explain the context, and work through concerns together."
Broader Protest Controversies and Police Actions
The prayer disruption represents just one aspect of broader scrutiny surrounding police conduct during Monday's protests. Social media footage circulated widely showing police repeatedly punching protesters, while a 16-year-old boy named Nedal alleged he was "grabbed by my keffiyeh, my scarf, and just dragged me, pulled me, kicked me on the floor, knee to my head, knee to my neck, and then put me in handcuffs" despite being peacefully present with family members.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley addressed these incidents, suggesting "innocent people got caught up in something that I know they would not normally participate in" while placing responsibility on protest organisers. Regarding the alleged assault on Nedal, Catley stated complaints could be made to police for "full and proper investigation."
Legal Proceedings and Political Reactions
Police made 27 arrests during Monday's protests, with nine individuals charged for offences including assaulting police, assault, hindering police, and offensive behaviour. An additional six people were expected to receive court attendance notices for refusing directions. In a subsequent protest against police brutality on Tuesday, 18-year-old Duke Austin was arrested for allegedly shining a torch in officers' faces and charged with three counts of assaulting police.
Meanwhile, political figures have criticised former Australian of the Year Grace Tame for leading chants of "Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada" during the protests. Federal Liberal MP Julian Leeser and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane have called for police investigation into Tame's use of the phrase, though NSW police confirmed they are not currently investigating the matter.
Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, who led the disrupted prayer group, has called for Commissioner Lanyon's resignation, adding to mounting pressure on police leadership. The Australian National Imams Council president, Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, has demanded "immediate actions, an apology from the NSW police, and a public inquiry" into the incident.
