Séamus Ó Cruadhlaoich, a Muslim tradesman, has explained his actions after being photographed praying at a memorial for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre. The images, taken after he completed the City2Surf fun run on Sunday, showed him kneeling in front of a menorah-shaped tribute in Bondi's Archer Park.
Ó Cruadhlaoich, who recently converted to Islam, was wearing a race bib that read "free Palestine" and a running top featuring the Palestinian, Irish, and Aboriginal flags. Photographs of his prayer were shared on social media platform X by former Liberal Democrat candidate Daniel Lewkovitz, who questioned the timing and appropriateness of the act, noting it was outside typical Islamic prayer times.
Lewkovitz's post led to a flood of online criticism directed at Ó Cruadhlaoich, with some users calling him a "disgusting scumbag" and accusing him of performing a "fake Muslim prayer," with some even calling for his deportation.
Ó Cruadhlaoich stated that he was horrified by the online reaction and emphasized that his intention was to pray for "peace and harmony" for all communities. "It was just after I ran the race and I walked up to the monument and it felt right at the time," he said. "I talked to Allah and prayed for peace and harmony within all communities and all society all over the world, but especially hoping for peace for these people who were taken in this horrific event. It was my first time at the monument and I just wanted to pay my respects."
He expressed dismay at being generalized, stating that critics were painting "all (Muslims) with one brush." When asked about Lewkovitz's comments, Ó Cruadhlaoich responded, "Who is he to tell me when I can pray?"
Ó Cruadhlaoich also recounted an interaction with a Jewish man at the memorial. "He waited till I was finished and when I turned around he put out his hand, shook mine and said, 'Big respect, brother,'" Ó Cruadhlaoich reported. "And I said, 'Thank you and respect to you too,' and I walked away with my friend and that was it."
Other social media users defended Ó Cruadhlaoich, with one stating, "What exactly is wrong with what he is doing? He was very likely simply paying his respects. I am Muslim and I support Palestine, but I also respect Jewish lives and do not wish death or harm upon innocent civilians. Those things are not mutually exclusive." Another commented, "All I see is a man respectfully exercising his right to pray and quietly contemplate at a location dedicated to prayer and quiet contemplation."
However, the Australian Jewish Association president, Robert Gregory, told the Daily Mail that Ó Cruadhlaoich's actions caused distress. "The Jewish community is still in mourning. I can't understand how an anti-Israel activist dressed in provocative anti-Israel political messaging thought it was appropriate to position himself next to the memorial to the victims of the Bondi attack," Gregory said. "His actions have caused distress to victims of the Bondi attack. Time and again, we see that activists have little regard for the impacts of their actions and the harm they cause."
Ó Cruadhlaoich mentioned that he participated in the City2Surf race to raise funds for a friend living in Gaza.