An outspoken Islamic preacher has publicly rejected any connection to the prime suspect in the devastating Bondi Beach terror attack, stating there is 'no evidence' of any personal or instructional link between them.
Preacher Distances Himself from Alleged Attacker
Wissam Haddad broke his silence via the encrypted messaging app Telegram on Thursday evening. He directly addressed claims that Naveed Akram, 24 – who has been charged with 15 counts of murder – was one of his followers. Haddad labelled the assertion as 'undefined and misleading,' arguing the term 'follower' could refer to something as minimal as a social media connection.
He further denied that his lectures, delivered at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown which Akram is understood to have attended, were 'provocative,' calling this a 'subjective opinion.' Haddad also forcefully rejected reports describing him as a 'spiritual leader of ISIS in Australia,' stating categorically that 'there is no evidence to support this allegation.'
History of Antisemitic Rhetoric and Legal Action
Haddad's denial comes against a backdrop of significant legal scrutiny over his inflammatory speeches. Earlier this year, a Federal Court judge ordered him to take down a series of sermons described as 'fundamentally racist and antisemitic.' He was successfully sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry over speeches given at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in November 2023.
In those speeches, which were also posted online, Haddad made vile remarks claiming Jewish people were 'vile,' 'mischievous' and 'treacherous' and the 'descendants of pigs and monkeys.' He also told followers to 'spit on Israel' and, in a video featuring a sword posted prior to the court action, warned 'we are not going to come unarmed, we're going to fight them with everything that we have.'
The Al Madina Dawah Centre itself issued a statement on Monday clarifying that Haddad had no formal role at the centre beyond 'occasional invitations as a guest speaker.'
The Bondi Attack and Mounting Charges
The preacher's comments follow the emergence of a 2019 video showing Naveed Akram preaching on the streets of western Sydney, urging others to 'spread dawah [invitations]' and the message of Islam. The alleged attacker's religious activity dates back at least this far.
Akram was charged on Wednesday with a total of 59 offences, including the 15 counts of murder, one count of committing a terrorist act, and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder. The attack occurred just before 7pm on Sunday during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring 40 more before Sajid was fatally shot by police.
New South Wales Police stated they will allege the man 'engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community.' Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said no others are currently expected to be charged, but cautioned that this could change as the investigation is still in its early stages. Naveed Akram was charged after spending two days in a coma, having been shot by police during the nine-minute rampage.
