Name: Prayer hall closure sparks debate over new hate speech laws
Uploaded: 2026-01-14T06:14:12.671Z
Duration: 1 min 58 s
Description: The closure of the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, home to a preacher who had breached the Racial Discrimination Act, has reignited discussions about proposed federal hate speech laws, religious freedoms, and free speech in Australia.

The closure of the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, home to a preacher who had breached the Racial Discrimination Act, has reignited discussions about proposed federal hate speech laws, religious freedoms, and free speech in Australia.

Bankstown

Authorities have permanently closed the Al Medina Dawar Centre in Bankstown after it was found to be operating as a prayer hall despite approval only as a health centre. The centre had connections to preacher Wissam Haddad, who was previously found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act through anti-Semitic lectures.

The closure comes amid debate over new federal hate speech laws, with concerns raised about exemptions for religious texts and the potential impact on both religious freedom and free speech. Critics argue the reforms are being rushed following recent terror attacks, while some lawmakers have voiced opposition, claiming the laws could suppress criticism of government policies.

Prayer hall closure sparks debate over new hate speech laws

The gates firmly shut at what's often referred to as a factory of hate. A short statement online, Al Medina Dawar Centre is permanently closed, after the council found it was approved to run as a health centre, not a prayer hall. I know that there's cynicism in relation to the changes that we're making, but we believe they're working. The Islamic Centre's linked to radical preacher Wissam Haddad, who was last year found by a court to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act in anti-Semitic lectures. Today, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry fears under new hate speech laws being proposed by the federal government, if similar circumstances arose... There is a significant chance that he would escape liability under this section. Concerned about exemptions from toughened up laws for directly quoting or referencing from a religious text for teaching or discussion. We think that the entire concept is misconceived and outdated. Laws to combat hate must not suppress lawful religious teachings, must not apply retrospectively. Having the freedom to practice one's own religion is fundamental in Australia. When it turns to hate and when it turns to vilifying other people, that's when these laws will start picking that up. The federal government was pushed to recall parliament and take legislative action after the Bondi terror attack. Now it's being criticised for rushing complex reforms. Why has this been rushed now when it should have been staged and put into place at least two years ago? Two coalition senators have publicly stated they won't be supporting the bill, Matt Canavan calling it an attack on free speech. These laws aren't about banning hatred, they're about banning criticism of government policies. And if people want to play politics because 15 people have died and many others were injured, then that's a matter for them. Chloe Boris, 10 News.

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