The Age, 28 September 2026
Australian preacher linked to notorious Sydney cleric urges followers to ‘take up arms’
From Paul Sakkal
An associate of a notorious Islamic preacher linked to the Bondi shooters has called on followers to take up arms against Christians and Jews, putting the spotlight back on radical preachers after the major parties shelved attempts to rein them in.
A young and increasingly popular preacher from Melbourne’s southeast who goes by Abu Ahmad said in a July sermon that adherents should not “take the Jews and the Christians for friends”.
“For the sake of Allah, it includes the obligation to declare enmity for his sake, opposition for the sake of Allah. It is to declare opposition: indeed, to take up arms against his enemies, to shun them and to stay far from them both in word and deed,” he said in a clip posted to his Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre’s social media feed.
“This proves that simple opposition of the spirit is not enough and that it must be complete by honouring of your commitment.”
The Al Bayyinah Islamic Centre was established in Springvale in 2024. It has regularly posted on Instagram with another account called Station of the Seekers, which has featured Islamic State sympathisers.