Sydney Muslim cleric Wissam Haddad (also known as Abu Ousayd) is being sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) for alleged racial discrimination. Haddad argues his lectures, where he described Jewish people as 'mischievous,' 'treacherous,' and 'vile,' were delivered privately to a Muslim audience and thus not subject to the Racial Discrimination Act. The ECAJ claims the language was dehumanizing and seeks removal of online content and a corrective notice.
Sydney Muslim cleric tells court Jewish people can’t be offended by him calling them ‘vile’ as lectures were private
AustraliaSydney
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Sydney Muslim cleric Wissam Haddad (also known as Abu Ousayd) is being sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) for alleged racial discrimination. Haddad argues his lectures, where he described Jewish people as 'mischievous,' 'treacherous,' and 'vile,' were delivered privately to a Muslim audience and thus not subject to the Racial Discrimination Act. The ECAJ claims the language was dehumanizing and seeks removal of online content and a corrective notice.
Trending- 1 November 2023: Wissam Haddad gives a series of lectures in Bankstown.
- 2 Lectures are subsequently broadcast online.
- 3 Peter Wertheim is alerted to the speeches by mainstream media coverage.
- 4 Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) sues Haddad for alleged racial discrimination.
- 5 Court hearing begins (published June 11, 2025), Wissam Haddad called as a witness.
- 6 Hearing expected to run until the end of the week.
- Potential injunction for Haddad to remove sermons and refrain from similar publications
- Order for a corrective notice on Haddad's prayer centre's social media pages
- Applicants seeking legal costs of bringing their action
- Highlights legal interpretations of racial discrimination and private vs. public speech in the digital age
What: A federal court case regarding alleged racial discrimination by Muslim cleric Wissam Haddad against Jewish people. Haddad is being sued by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) for using offensive language in lectures, which were later broadcast online.
When: Lectures given in November 2023; court hearing ongoing, expected to run until the end of the week (published June 11, 2025).
Where: Federal Court, Bankstown, Sydney, Australia.
Why: Wissam Haddad allegedly breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act by describing Jewish people as 'mischievous,' 'treacherous,' and 'vile' in lectures, which were subsequently broadcast online. The ECAJ seeks an injunction and corrective action.
How: Haddad's defense argues the speeches were private and delivered to a Muslim audience, thus not falling under the 'otherwise than in private' clause of the Act. He claims he was not responsible for uploading the speeches online, though he knew they would be. The applicants argue the speeches were designed for wider dissemination and used dehumanizing language, citing sound recording and camera equipment and social media logos on his backdrop.