Islamic Preacher Linked to Bondi Shooters Urged Followers to Take Up Arms

An Islamic preacher with alleged ties to the individuals involved in the Bondi shootings has called on his followers to take up arms against their perceived enemies. In sermons shared on social media channels belonging to the Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre, Abu Ahmad urged followers not to align with "Jews and the Christians" and to "declare enmity for the sake of Allah."

"It is to declare opposition: indeed, to take up arms against his enemies, to shun them and to stay far from them both in word and deed," Ahmad stated in a sermon posted in July. He argued that simple spiritual opposition was insufficient and must be "complete by honouring of your commitment." Ahmad further elaborated that if the goal of Islam's enemies – whom he identified as "atheists or Jews or Christians or modernists or Zionists or communists" – is to "emasculate" Muslims and erode their character, then the "urgency of this issue should become clear to every Muslim."

The Al Bayyinah centre is located in Springvale, Melbourne. Its social media channels have featured preachers from across Australia. An affiliated account, Station of the Seekers, which is reportedly inactive, previously shared content that included sermons by individuals identified as Islamic State sympathizers.

Controversial preacher Wisam Haddad has also been linked to Sydney's Al Madina Dawah Centre, which has been cited as a place reportedly attended by Sajid and Naveed Akram, the alleged perpetrators of the Bondi shootings. In a past sermon, Ahmad expressed support for Haddad and criticized what he described as the influence of liberal ideologies on Australian Muslims.

"My dear brothers, it is saddening to tell you that we continue to hear stories of our youth falling victim to liberal ideologies and being confused, brainwashed by so-called logical thinkers," Ahmad said in a sermon shared online. "Our youth are turning to other ways of life right under our noses."

Ahmad also expressed concern that "Tawhid (Islam) needs to be instilled in our youth from the moment they utter their first word," lamenting that "we have neglected our children." He criticized a perceived shift away from Islamic priorities, stating, "Instead of teaching them to say the name of Allah first, we teach them to say mama or baba. We didn’t set their priorities."

In other sermons, Ahmad voiced disapproval of Muslims being exposed to immodest attire and criticized "haram relationships" and certain types of music as "sin." He asserted that "community leaders need to work twice as hard, teaching our youth tawhid, because of how easy it is to be brainwashed and how easy our imams can be poisoned by other ideologies." He concluded that "it is prohibited to live in these lands (the West), the risk of losing your Islam is too high."

Haddad, who has previously been found to have breached racial discrimination laws over antisemitic sermons, has reportedly urged his "Melbourne brothers" to support Ahmad. In May, Haddad criticized the Australian government for prosecuting women who had returned to Australia after living under ISIS. He shared a social media post criticizing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, alleging that Herzog had been accused by legal groups and human rights advocates of involvement in alleged war crimes related to the Gaza conflict. Haddad commented, "But of course, the 'law' is only ever applied against the weak... Double standards again."

Australia enacted new anti-hate speech laws in January, following the Bondi shootings. The legislation, initially intended as a single bill addressing hate speech and gun laws, was separated into two bills after facing opposition. The Nationals party opposed the anti-hate speech legislation, citing concerns it could infringe on free speech rights and advocating for amendments to protect "the rights and freedom of speech of everyday Australians and the Jewish community."