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The peaceful sanctity of Islamic prayer became a battlefield at Sydney Town Hall this week, sparking a national outcry that has now reached a boiling point. What was intended as a spiritual pause during a massive rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit turned into a scene of physical trauma as New South Wales Police officers moved in with "wrecking ball" force. The incident has left 18-year-old Bangladeshi-Australian Azhar Bhuiyan and his fellow worshippers physically injured and deeply traumatized, shifting the narrative from a political protest to a fundamental fight for religious freedom and civil rights in Australia.
The Bangladeshi-Australian Connection and the Human Cost
The heart of this escalating crisis lies in the personal accounts of the victims, particularly those from Sydney's vibrant Bangladeshi community. Azhar Bhuiyan, a teenager whose heritage connects him to the resilient Bhuiyan lineage of Bengal, stood as a symbol of a generation that feels betrayed by the very authorities sworn to protect them. Bhuiyan described the harrowing moment police grabbed his clothing and kicked him in the back while he was in a state of absolute submission to God. Alongside him, Shahbaz Jamal suffered significant bruising and potential internal injuries as police "bulldozed" through the group, showing a total disregard for the presence of women and youth in the prayer line.
Shahbaz Jamal and Azhar Bhuiyan were in the most "vulnerable" prayer position at Sydney's Town Hall when they were thrown by police. Source: SBS News
Escalating Demands for Commissioner Lanyon’s Resignation
While NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has offered private apologies to select community leaders, the gesture has been flatly rejected by the broader Muslim leadership. A powerful coalition of over 100 organizations—including the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Lebanese Muslim Association—is now demanding nothing less than Lanyon’s resignation. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, has labeled the event an "ethical scandal," making it clear that a private phone call cannot bridge the rift caused by what many describe as "unhinged and aggressive" state-sanctioned violence.
The Legal Storm and the Path Forward
The situation is rapidly moving from the streets to the courtrooms. Human Rights Watch has officially verified footage of the "excessive force," and specialized legal firms like O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors are already offering consultations for a massive class-action lawsuit against the NSW Government. Legal experts suggest the state’s "Major Events Act," which granted police sweeping powers for the Herzog visit, may have been overstepped in a way that violates constitutional freedoms. As investigators review body-cam footage, the community is bracing for the next phase: a formal independent inquiry into why peaceful religious observance was treated as a criminal threat.
Islamophobia and the Normalization of State Violence
Australia’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has warned that this incident threatens to "irreparably damage" the relationship between the state and its Muslim citizens. The frustration is compounded by Premier Chris Minns’ refusal to issue a full public apology, instead calling for "context." For the thousands of Bangladeshi-Australians and the wider Muslim community who call Sydney home, no amount of context justifies the physical assault of people on their knees. The coming weeks will see intensified rallies, legal filings, and a community-wide mobilization to ensure that the dignity of prayer is never again compromised by the boots of the state.
