Canterbury-Bankstown Council shuts down prayer hall linked to notorious preacher Wissam Haddad
A Sydney council has moved to shut down what it says is an illegal prayer hall linked to notorious Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad. The City of Canterbury Bankstown Council issued a "cease use" directive at the Bankstown Al Madina Dawah Centre in the city's south-west on Monday. The council said a review of council records dating back to the 1970s found the site on Kitchener Parade had never been approved to run as a prayer hall, and had only recently received approval to operate as a medical centre. "Our recent surveillance indicates there is a strong suspicion the premises is being used contrary to its intended use," a council spokesperson said in a statement. "We have issued the cease use notices which will be effective immediately. There are no compromises, and we will be taking further action if they don't comply." Mr Haddad was previously issued with a directive to shut down premises unauthorised to conduct prayer meetings at other sites, acco...