Australia Acts Against Anti-Semitic Hate Preachers Will Others Follow Suit?

April 12, 2026

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

At a time when antisemitism is resurging across continents — manifesting in rhetoric, violence, and organised incitement — the response of democratic governments remains uneven and, at times, troublingly inconsistent. While some nations continue to permit the entry and public amplification of extremist clerics, others are beginning to recognise the dangers posed by such figures. Australia’s recent actions against foreign preachers accused of spreading anti-Jewish hatred offer a notable example of the latter and raise urgent questions about global standards in confronting hate.

For years, Islamist preachers have operated across Western societies through conferences, religious gatherings, and diaspora networks, often using these platforms to promote hostility toward Jews, Israel, and non-Muslim communities more broadly. These messages frequently framed as theological or political commentary have, in many cases, crossed into explicit antisemitic conspiracy theories and dehumanising rhetoric.Against this backdrop, Australia has taken steps that signal a shift toward stricter scrutiny.

On April 5, Australian authorities cancelled the visa of Bangladeshi preacher Shaykh Ahmadullah over alleged antisemitic remarks, effectively preventing him from proceeding with planned speaking engagements in the country. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs is currently reviewing whether to impose a permanent ban, with a decision expected imminently.The decision followed controversy surrounding Ahmadullah’s statements about Jewish people. In a video cited by ‘The Telegraph’, he suggested that even minor conflicts should be viewed through the lens of a supposed “Jewish conspiracy”, further alleging that Jews act as hidden orchestrators behind global unrest. Such rhetoric echoes long-standing antisemitic tropes that have historically fueled prejudice and violence.

Ahmadullah’s case is not isolated. Earlier, another Bangladeshi preacher, Mizanur Rahman Azhari, was deported from Australia midway through a nationwide speaking tour after past statements resurfaced. Azhari has described Jews as the “biggest terrorists in the world” and referred to Adolf Hitler as a “divine punishment” against them remarks that go far beyond political criticism and enter the realm of explicit incitement and historical distortion.

Events featuring Azhari had been organised by several groups, including the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC). According to ‘The Daily Telegraph’, Azhari — despite having previously been barred from entering the United Kingdom — had been granted a visitor visa to deliver sermons in Sydney and other major Australian cities.The content of Azhari’s past sermons has drawn significant concern. In a 2023 address delivered in the United States, he reportedly promoted a range of antisemitic conspiracy theories, including claims that Jews were responsible for global crisis such as the spread of AIDS. He also expressed admiration for Hitler’s actions against Jews — statements that not only distort historical reality but also risk normalising genocidal rhetoric among audiences.