Imam of Lakemba Mosque for 31 years, between 1982 and 2013, during which time he was also appointed Mufti of Australia in 1988. In 2005, he was named 'Muslim man of the year' at the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards. In a 2006 Ramadan sermon he told worshippers "the uncovered meat is the problem", comparing women who do not cover up to exposed meat; Prime Minister John Howard and others condemned the remarks as blaming women for rape. Hilaly apologised, saying he condemned rape, and agreed not to give sermons for two to three months (ABC, Al Jazeera). He died on 5 October 2023 (AFIC, SBS).
Taj El-Din Hilaly on Egyptian television, January 2007 (Australian TV news report, with translation): 'Their values are upside down. They have no democracy, no freedom. They are the worst liars and unjust people' / 'Islam was here before the English fleet' (video)
Taj El-Din Hilaly, same interview: 'The English and Anglo-Saxons arrived in Australia as convicts in handcuffs. We paid from our own pockets and went there as free people' (video)
The Evidence Project is an independent, investigative timeline archive — every case, every document, every date, laid out in order so the full picture is there to see. Each entry links through to primary sources, footage, and documents so nothing here rests on our word alone.
We are not aligned with any political party, movement, or side. We hold every figure and organisation on this site to the same standard of evidence, regardless of who they are or what they believe — not because we're neutral on the issues, but because the facts, once verified, don't need us to take a side for them.
A note on what this site is — and isn't
Inclusion here documents a verified event, connection, or statement on the public record. It is not an accusation, and it does not imply guilt, association, or wrongdoing beyond what the cited sources themselves establish. Where a claim is contested, unconfirmed, or needs context for fairness, we say so.
What this is about: a small network of individuals and organisations who promote extremism, and the institutions that funded, platformed or overlooked them. It is not about Muslims. Most Muslim Australians reject these views, and many have spoken out against them at real cost to themselves. They are part of the solution.
This site exists so people can read, learn, and reach their own conclusions — not so it can be used as ammunition against anyone. Do not use it to harass, threaten or target anyone, whether a person named here, their family, or any community. If you're looking for a reason to target someone, you won't find it built into this site; you'll only find the record, and what you do with it is on you.
This is a conversation Australia needs to have, and we welcome that conversation.
If we got something wrong, tell us and show us the source — we'll check it and correct it publicly. Tips and documents are welcome too: contact@evidenceproject.au
