Controversial Islamic Prayer Hall Announces Its Closure After Council Crackdown

The controversial Islamic prayer centre had been operating without relevant council approvals. Wissam Haddad leaves the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney on July 1, 2025. Two leaders of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry sued the Islamic preacher for racial discrimination over allegedly anti-Semitic sermons. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts1/14/2026|Updated: 1/14/2026Sydney’s Al Madina Dawah Centre has announced its permanent closure just weeks after assuring congregants that it would remain open.The controversial Islamic prayer hall led by preacher Wissam Haddad posted a statement on Jan. 13 but did not explain why it was closing.Crystal-Rose Jones is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked at News Corp for 16 years as a senior journalist and editor.Author’s Selected Articles