Controversial sheik’s group offered slice of $2.4m grant

Labor has invited a local Muslim community group with ties to a sheik who celebrated the October 7 attacks and has been linked to the extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir to apply for its share of $2.4 million in grant money in the name of “social cohesion”.

Addressing a crowd at a pro-Palestine rally organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir in Lakemba less than 24 hours after Hamas launched its bloody attack on Israel, Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun of United Muslims Australia praised the terror fighters to an enthusiastic crowd.

“My brothers, My sisters, I’m smiling … I’m smiling, and I’m happy, I’m elated,” he said.

“It’s a day of courage, it’s a day of happiness, it’s a day of pride, it’s a day of victory.”

“This is the day we’ve been waiting for … 75 years … 75 years of occupation.”

“What yesterday happened was the first time our brothers and sisters broke through the largest prison alive.”

Dadoun later said that he does not condone innocent killings, and said he was referring to the Palestinians “breaking the blockade”.

Despite his comments, last month assistant minister for multiculturalism Julian Hill specifically invited United Muslims Australia, along with two other Muslim groups, to apply for the grants.

A media release issued by Hill’s office at the time said that “empowering young Australian Muslims locally is critical to building connections and tackling division, prejudice and hate.”

The United Muslims of Australia website lists Dadoun as one of the organisation’s sheiks and promoted as a speaker.

Along with celebrating October 7, Dadoun has also been present at a number of events organised by the group.

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Among other things, Hizb ut-Tahrir calls for the elimination of Israel and which has been banned in a number of nations including the UK and most Arab nations.

Media reports have placed Dadoun at Stand for Palestine rallies at the pro-Palestine encampment chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Also in October on his “Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun” Facebook page, Dadoun criticised Premier Chris Minns’ decision to light the sails of the Opera House in blue and white as “(escalating) tension” despite Israel not having yet retaliated for the attacks.

Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said, ““It would be intolerable if supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir participate in government funding.”

“There is no pathway to ‘positive community participation’ through a supporter of Hizb ut Tahrir.”

Mr Hill said, “The United Muslims of Australia group is run by Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, who has been working constructively with successive governments and security agencies for many years and is also the President of the Australian National Imams Council.”

“The comments that were made by Mr Dadoun have been repeatedly condemned by the Government, and the UMA has a long and successful history in helping many young Muslims in Sydney.”

Originally published as Group linked to sheik who celebrated Oct 7 attack invited to apply for grant