🚨 BREAKING: “They dragged them away WHILE they were praying!” – Shocking footage from Sydney shows Australian police forcibly grabbing, shoving, and dragging Muslim men mid-prayer during a massive protest… and the backlash is exploding! 😱🙏

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New South Wales Police are facing intense criticism and calls for investigation after viral video footage emerged showing officers forcibly removing a group of Muslim men who were praying outdoors during a large pro-Palestinian demonstration in Sydney on February 9, 2026.

The incident occurred amid clashes at a rally outside Sydney Town Hall protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia. Police reported that approximately 6,000 people attended the event—though organizers claimed numbers reached 50,000—resulting in 27 arrests, with nine individuals later charged, including some for allegedly assaulting officers. Ten police officers were reportedly injured during the evening.

Footage circulating widely on social media and reported by outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, CNN, and local Australian networks captured several tense moments: officers using pepper spray on protesters, punching at least one demonstrator who appeared to have his hands raised, and physically intervening with a small group of Muslim men engaged in evening prayer (Maghrib). In one widely shared clip, officers are seen approaching the kneeling worshippers, grabbing individuals at the edges of the group, dragging them along the ground, and attempting to pull others to their feet while the prayer continued around them.

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) issued a strong statement condemning the actions as “shocking, deeply disturbing, and entirely unacceptable.” The council emphasized that police should “protect the community, uphold public safety, and de-escalate tensions, not interfere with religious worship or inflame an already sensitive situation.” They raised urgent concerns directly with NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon and relevant ministers, demanding accountability from the NSW Government and Premier Chris Minns.

Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, who led the prayer group, described the police response as “unhinged, aggressive, and violent,” with “zero regard for anyone and anything in their way, even peaceful worshippers who were not in anyone’s way.” He noted that the group had chosen a spot in compliance with police directions and was not obstructing access or causing disruption.

Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, called the intervention “completely unacceptable” and demanded an apology from Premier Minns to the Muslim community. Malik stated there was “absolutely nothing on the face of the earth that could warrant police to break up people who are praying in a quiet, non-threatening, peaceful manner,” describing scenes of officers punching, grabbing, and throwing individuals as “disgraceful” and “appalling.”

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Australia, echoed the concerns, labeling the police actions a “serious assault” on rights and a “deeply troubling display of State-sanctioned violence.” They called for an independent investigation, highlighting the use of pepper spray, mounted charges into crowds, and tactics that boxed in protesters with no safe exit.

The protest was organized against Herzog’s visit, which came in the context of heightened tensions following an antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach where 16 people were killed. Protesters accused the Australian government of inviting a figure they associate with controversial policies amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon defended the officers, stating they showed “remarkable restraint” and “did what they needed to do” in a volatile environment. Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna explained that arrests included 10 for assaults on police and 17 for failing to comply with move-on directions. Police characterized the broader scene as involving a “violent crowd” and insisted interventions occurred in the “context” of efforts to clear the area amid escalating disorder.

Premier Chris Minns backed the police, describing the situation as “impossible” and rejecting claims of disproportionate force against the Muslim community. He told parliament the footage was “devastating” and warranted review of circumstances but maintained that officers acted to keep the community safe. Minns disputed characterizations of a “riot” at the exact moment of the prayer disruption, though he noted the overall event had turned chaotic.

The prayer incident has amplified debates over religious freedom in public spaces, policing of protests, and potential Islamophobia in law enforcement responses. Critics argue the forceful dispersal of worshippers—permitted under Australian law if not causing nuisance or blocking access—undermines trust in authorities, particularly within Muslim communities. Supporters of the police maintain that the prayer group was part of a larger, non-compliant crowd refusing to disperse, leaving officers with limited options.

As of February 11, 2026, no formal charges have been specified against individuals from the prayer group, and police have not released detailed explanations for the specific intervention. Calls for independent probes continue from Muslim leaders, civil rights groups, and some politicians, including Greens and pro-Palestine Labor members who expressed “distress and disgust” at the handling of the rally.

The events have sparked additional demonstrations and online outrage, with hashtags trending and videos amassing millions of views. The ANIC and others warn that without accountability, community relations could suffer long-term damage.

For now, the footage stands as a flashpoint in Australia’s ongoing discussions about protest rights, religious expression, and police conduct in high-tension situations. Authorities have promised to review the incidents, but public demands for transparency and reform are growing louder by the day.