7am Part 1: The spiritual leader of Sydney’s pro-ISIS network
Aug 5, 2025
Investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop sheds light on the alarming rise of pro-ISIS networks in Australia, spotlighting the elusive role of spiritual leader Wissam Haddad. He discusses the implications of passport cancellations on local communities and the shift toward domestic terrorism. The conversation delves into the fine line between free speech and incitement, examining a jihadi influencer’s provocative messages. Rubinsztein-Dunlop also reveals the radicalization risks linked to charitable organizations, emphasizing the covert activities that lure youth towards extremism.
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Haddad's Prayer Centre: ISIS Hub
- Wissam Haddad ran a prayer centre that became a hub for recruiting Australians to ISIS in Syria.
- This centre drew significant counterterrorism attention and linked Haddad as a spiritual leader of Sydney's pro-ISIS network.
Shift to Local Terrorism in Australia
- When Australia stopped people traveling to Syria, ISIS supporters in Australia shifted focus to planning local attacks.
- The Appleby Group exemplified this new threat by targeting Australian police and public.
Haddad's Controversial Preaching Style
- Haddad's speeches quote violent jihadist rhetoric but claim to only relay others’ messages.
- He was found in breach of the Racial Discrimination Act for anti-Semitic lectures in a federal court ruling.