The Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, Sydney, has permanently closed its doors following a controversial incident involving cleric Wisam Haddad. The centre's closure comes amidst scrutiny over Haddad's alleged ties to the Bondi terror attack and the Dawah preaching movement he leads. The Canterbury Bankstown Council issued a 'cease use' directive, citing concerns that the centre was being used contrary to its intended purpose as a medical facility. The council's surveillance revealed that the centre never had approval to operate as a prayer hall and lacked the necessary development consent for a change of use from a medical centre to a place of worship. Haddad, known as Abu Ousayd, denied any involvement in the attack and stated that he had no management role at the centre, only occasional guest speaking engagements. The Al Madina Group, which manages the centre, emphasized that the closure is temporary, pending a change of use application and full compliance with council requirements. This incident has sparked debates about the regulation of religious premises and the powers of local councils in addressing potential security concerns.
