Sudanese Against war Australia submits a memorandum to the Parliament regarding the activities of Sheikh Abdel-Hay Youssef
Alsudanianews Australia
We, the Sudanese community in Australia, write to express our deep concern regarding the presence and ongoing activities of Sheikh Abdul Hai Yusuf in various Australian cities. Despite his well-documented history of inciting violence and extremism, he has been granted entry to Australia and is currently holding religious events in Sydney, Melbourne, and other locations.
Sheikh Abdul Hai Yusuf has a long and troubling record of promoting extremist ideologies that contradict the values of peace and tolerance upheld in Australia. During the December 2018 revolution in Sudan, he issued a fatwa justifying violence against peaceful protesters, calling for the killing of a portion of them. More alarmingly, he has publicly justified and even blessed suicide bombings against Jewish people, presenting them as acts of religious legitimacy.
His influence extends beyond mere rhetoric—he is an active member of extremist networks that span multiple countries, making his presence in Australia a serious security concern.
His Background and Extremist Ties:
• Affiliation with Radical Groups: He was a member of the extremist Sururiyin movement in Saudi Arabia, known for producing terrorist ideologues in the Gulf region. Upon returning to Sudan, he joined the Salafi wing of the Muslim Brotherhood and used his mosque in Khartoum as a hub for spreading extremist views.
• Close Ties to Sudan’s Former Regime and Corruption: He was a close ally of former Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir and managed the Holy Quran Society, which played a major role in broadcasting radical religious content across Africa. Following the fall of al-Bashir, he fled Sudan to escape corruption charges and is now based in Turkey, where he runs the Taiba Channel, a platform used to disseminate extremist ideologies.
• Support for War and Extremist Fatwas: Since the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war on April 15, 2023, he has openly supported and financed the conflict. He has issued fatwas encouraging violence against civilians who do not align with certain factions, including justifying the looting of civilian property.
• Links to International Terrorist Networks:
• He has established connections with extremist groups in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
• In 2024, he visited Afghanistan and held meetings with Taliban leaders at the presidential palace, further cementing his ties to violent extremist movements.
• He has been linked to terrorism financiers and has a long history of spreading inflammatory religious decrees that incite violence.
• Radicalizing Young Followers:
• His ideology has influenced thousands of young men and women worldwide, many of whom have been indoctrinated into extremism through his lectures and fatwas.
• His online presence and religious decrees provide justification for acts of violence, inspiring followers to engage in hate-driven actions.
His Activities in Australia:
Sheikh Abdul Hai Yusuf’s visit to Australia was facilitated by local organizations that have provided him with a platform to spread his ideology. He is scheduled to speak at an event organized by Human Appeal in Canberra at the CIC Monash Islamic Centre. The fact that he has been allowed to hold public gatherings raises serious concerns about the due diligence applied in approving his visa.
Urgent Call for Action:
We urge the Australian government, members of parliament, human rights organizations, and media representatives to take immediate action by:
1. Raising this issue in Parliament to investigate how an individual with a history of inciting violence and supporting terrorism was granted entry into Australia.
2. Urging the Department of Home Affairs to reassess the risks associated with his presence and revoke his visa.
3. Investigating the organizations that facilitated his entry and ensuring that platforms promoting extremism are not allowed to operate in Australia.
4. Encouraging media outlets to expose his extremist views and educate the public about the threat he poses to Australia’s social fabric.
Australia has a proud history of promoting democracy, human rights, and peaceful coexistence. Allowing a figure like Sheikh Abdul Hai Yusuf to spread his dangerous ideology not only endangers public safety but also undermines these fundamental values.
We appreciate your urgent attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Sudanese Aginst war Australia
