Imam calls out pro-Palestine rally comments as 'inappropriate'

A prominent Australian imam has stated that comments made at a pro-Palestinian rally, where another imam referred to October 7, 2023, as a "day of pride" and "victory," were inappropriate. Sheikh Shadi Asuleiman, president of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), made these remarks while giving evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

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We believe the comments that Ibrahim Dadoun made on the 8th of October were inappropriate, especially during a time of heightened tension and a time where communities need to come together.

Sheikh Shadi was questioned about his response to a rally on October 8, 2023, where Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun addressed attendees following Hamas's attack on southern Israel. At the time, Sheikh Ibrahim had expressed being "smiling" and "happy," calling it "a day of courage, it's a day of pride, it's a day of victory."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had previously stated that there was "nothing to celebrate" regarding the attacks. Sheikh Ibrahim later posted on Facebook, clarifying that his speech did not express support for the loss of lives and that his happiness referred to Palestinians breaking a 16-year blockade.

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I'm elated, it's a day of courage, it's a day of pride, it's a day of victory. This is the day we've been waiting for.

Sheikh Shadi explained that Sheikh Ibrahim had resigned from his ANIC director position before the incident, and his comments were made without the council's knowledge or approval. "We believe the comments that Ibrahim Dadoun made on the 8th of October were inappropriate, especially during a time of heightened tension and a time where communities need to come together," Sheikh Shadi stated.

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In my speech [on October 8, 2023] when I said 'I'm smiling and I'm happy' … I was referring only to the fact of the Palestinian people breaking the blockade after 16 years of grave suffering.

He added that Sheikh Ibrahim was "very cooperative" when spoken to about the incident and received counseling. The ANIC's approach, Sheikh Shadi noted, is to engage with members, believing that excluding individuals, even after serious mistakes, is unhelpful. "We do believe that religious leaders have responsibility in their rhetoric and narrative," he said, emphasizing the council's desire to keep such individuals within its fold when they show cooperation.

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Our approach … at ANIC is to always engage with our members.