Two Australian Jewish leaders say they have been forced to sue an Islamic cleric over his "hateful" sermons to deter others from promoting racism to further their political views.
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Preacher Wissam Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, and the Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre have been accused of racial discrimination in Federal Court proceedings filed on Friday.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot decided to sue over allegedly offensive behaviour based on racial hatred.
Mr Haddad's sermons were made at the Bankstown centre in Sydney's southwest and also published online.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Wertheim and Mr Goot claim the preacher's sermons used derogatory generalisations of Jewish people.
"We have commenced proceedings in the Federal Court to defend the honour of our community, and as a warning to deter others seeking to mobilise racism in order to promote their political views," Mr Wertheim said.
They are seeking court injunctions requiring the removal of the allegedly racist speeches and prohibiting Mr Haddad from making similar comments in the future.
They are not seeking compensation or damages.
Mr Wertheim said Australia's multicultural success story meant people were free to observe their faiths in harmony and respect.
"That should mean we do not bring the hatreds, prejudices and bigotry of overseas conflicts and societies into Australia," he said.
While maintaining social cohesion was the role of governments and their agencies, they had failed the Jewish community, Mr Wertheim said.
"It should not fall on our community, or any other community, to take private legal action to remedy a public wrong, and to stand up to those who sow hatred in our midst," he told AAP.
"However, in the circumstances we feel we have no alternative."
Australian Associated Press
