ECAJ sues hate preacher

The Jewish community's attempt to stop Sydney Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad and religious centre Al Madina Dawah from spreading hate has moved to the Federal Court.

In March, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) lodged complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) alleging Haddad and the Centre had breached the Racial Discrimination Act.

It also lodged complaints against another Sydney Islamic preacher Sheikh Ahmed Zoud and Awqaf Australia Benevolent Fund Limited.

Both complaints refer to speeches that were allegedly made at the Al Madina Dawah Centre late last year, recordings of which have been uploaded online.

The applicants, ECAJ Co-CEO Peter Wertheim and Deputy President Robert Goot, are claiming the speeches breach Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, which prohibits offensive behaviour based on racial hatred.