Sydney preacher’s latest sermon targets Jews and Christians
Sydney-based Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad has released a new sermon attacking Jewish and Christian beliefs.
The Federal Court previously found him guilty of engaging in antisemitic hate speech. The latest remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny over reported links between his teachings and the Bondi Beach gunmen.
Wissam Haddad (AAP)
The 30-minute address by Wissam Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, criticises interfaith engagement, discusses the fate of Jews and Christians in the afterlife, and challenges core elements of Christian theology, including the meaning of Easter.
The sermon was circulated on the encrypted messaging app Telegram as part of a new series of teachings and was first highlighted by Sky News. In it, Haddad criticises Muslims who promote unity with non-Muslims on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, describing such efforts as incompatible with Islam.
He cites a hadith stating that Jews and Christians split into multiple sects, with only one group ultimately attaining salvation, while the rest are condemned. He also criticises the Christian observance of Good Friday, questioning how the day can be considered good if it marks the death of what Christians believe to be God. He also argues that the concept of an all-powerful, eternal God being killed is illogical.
Haddad has also faced ongoing scrutiny over alleged links to extremism. Reports have previously indicated that the Bondi Beach attack suspect had engaged with his sermons, raising concerns about the potential influence of his teachings. Haddad denies knowing about or being involved in the attack, and authorities have not charged him with terrorism-related offences.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has previously taken legal action against Haddad over similar remarks. In a July 2025 ruling, the Federal Court found that three of Haddad’s 2023 lectures breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Justice Angus Stewart found the material portrayed Jewish people in ways that were “fundamentally racist and antisemitic.”
The lectures included descriptions of Jews as “vile”, “treacherous” and “mischievous”, as well as references drawn from religious texts that the court found to be offensive and dehumanising.
Following the decision, ECAJ co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said the case was not about limiting free speech or religion but about preventing the misuse of those freedoms to spread antisemitism.
Haddad founded the Revesby Muslim Association and later operated from the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, which was shut down by council in December 2025 for operating unlawfully as a place of worship.
Shadow assistant minister for multicultural affairs Dave Sharma condemned the sermon. Speaking to news.com.au, he described it as “disgusting” and an affront to Australian values and called for authorities to examine whether any laws had been breached.
The latest remarks are likely to intensify debate over the limits of religious expression and the enforcement of laws against racial and religious vilification in Australia.
