Muslim organisations demand public apology following Sydney protest confrontation

New South Wales Police have apologised to Muslim community leaders after officers disrupted a group of men performing prayer during a major protest in Sydney. The incident occurred during demonstrations against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, where tensions between police and protesters escalated in Sydney’s CBD. Footage circulated widely showing officers forcefully moving worshippers who were kneeling in prayer, prompting outrage and calls for accountability.

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed he had apologised to senior Muslim leaders “for any offence that may have been taken,” while maintaining that officers were attempting to disperse a crowd after earlier unrest and safety concerns.

The confrontation unfolded near Sydney Town Hall as thousands gathered to protest the Israeli president’s visit. During the rally, a group of Muslim men paused to perform a prayer that, under Islamic practice, cannot be delayed.



Video footage appears to show police moving in and physically removing worshippers while they were kneeling. Muslim community leaders and organisations say the intervention was forceful and unnecessary, with some describing the experience as appalling.

The broader protest saw clashes between police and demonstrators. Authorities reported that officers were threatened and confronted during the rally, which they described as volatile and difficult to control.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir said the commissioner’s private apology to a small group of Muslim leaders was not sufficient and called for a broader public response.

He argued that nothing could justify what he described as police brutality against people engaged in prayer. Kheir said the worshippers were complying with police directions and were “doing absolutely nothing wrong” at the time of the intervention.

Commissioner Lanyon defended the officers’ actions, saying the prayer incident occurred while police were dispersing the crowd to prevent further disorder. He emphasised that the response must be viewed in the context of earlier unrest and public safety risks.

NSW Premier Chris Minns also defended the police response, saying officers were placed in an “incredibly difficult” situation and insisting the actions were not intended to target any religious group.

"How were people praying on all fours with their head to the ground bowing, how were they possibly going to break any police line?" Mr Kheir said.

"In the Islamic religion, a prayer cannot be stopped.”

"If they're [police] not educated in the sensitivities of other religions and communities, then that's a blame on the police force, not on the people praying."

Police have committed to reviewing the body-camera footage.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and other Muslim groups have echoed calls for accountability and transparency.