Sydney, February 26, 2024 — A coalition of Muslim organizations is demanding prosecution for New South Wales police officers who intervened against men kneeling in prayer during a protest Monday night against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. The incident, captured on video, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising questions about religious freedom and police conduct.
Calls Mount for Accountability After Sydney Protest Clash
The response from law enforcement during a peaceful demonstration has sparked outrage and demands for an independent investigation.
- At least 38 Muslim and legal organizations are calling for the resignation of the NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon.
- The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is facing calls to apologize for what critics describe as an “abuse of power.”
- Video footage shows officers grabbing and dragging men who were praying in the forecourt of Sydney Town Hall.
- Police defended their actions, stating they were attempting to disperse a protest that was moving toward an unauthorized march.
- The Australian National Imams Council condemned the police’s actions as “heavy-handed” and “unprovoked.”
What is the central issue in the Sydney protest incident? The core of the controversy lies in the police’s forceful intervention against men engaged in prayer during a demonstration, prompting accusations of religious insensitivity and excessive force.
Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, who led the prayer, described the police response as “unhinged,” “aggressive,” and lacking “regard for anyone and anything in their way.” He explained that the group was approximately 15 minutes behind schedule and had begun their sunset prayer when officers descended upon them. “We could obviously hear a big ruckus behind us. And I saw people… being flung off on my right, flung off on my left,” Charkawi said.
Footage of the incident shows officers grabbing individuals at the periphery of the prayer group and pulling them along the ground, even as the men continued to pray. Other protestors can be heard yelling at police to “leave them” and “they’re fucking praying.” Charkawi stated he felt his shoulder was nearly dislocated as he was pulled by officers, emphasizing that they were not disobeying any commands and had their backs turned.
NSW Greens MLC Abigail Boyd also reported being physically assaulted by police during the protest, stating she was punched in the head and shoulder. She witnessed officers dragging the praying men away, describing it as an unacceptable act against a peaceful expression of faith. “You can’t get anything more peaceful than prayer,” Boyd said.
The coalition of Muslim organizations asserted that the use of force against worshippers during a lawful protest was unacceptable, stating that officers “knowingly intervened in a moment of religious observance, forcibly interrupted prayer and used physical force against individuals who posed no threat to public safety.” They are demanding an independent inquiry and potential criminal charges for officers involved.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon defended his officers’ actions, claiming they showed “remarkable restraint” while attempting to disperse a protest that was inciting a march—an action prohibited under a NSW law passed after the Bondi antisemitic terror attack. Premier Chris Minns echoed this sentiment, stating that police were in a difficult position, needing to separate protestors from an event attended by over 7,000 people mourning the Bondi beach attacks.
Minns insisted that police have a “strong and cooperative relationship” with Sydney’s Muslim community and maintained there was no intention to prevent people from praying. However, he acknowledged the challenging circumstances, describing the situation as “in effect, in the middle of a riot.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the issue in parliament, stating he would “allow police to do their job” in investigating the incident, adding that many Australians “will want to know all of the circumstances around that.”
