Ahmed Ouf is running in a western Sydney Labor-held seat. He’s gaining popularity — but his comments have Jewish groups worried

A political hopeful from Sydney’s west is aiming to take Jason Clare's seat of Blaxland away from Labor. He told a congregation the October 7 attacks ‘gave me life’. SEE THE VIDEO

Jewish groups have expressed alarm at a sermon by a pro-Gaza federal election candidate in which he told worshippers at a Western Sydney mosque: “I felt like I was dead and 7th of October gave me life”.

Especially as he rates himself a big chance of taking a Western Sydney seat from Labor.

But candidate Ahmed Ouf says his speech was a spiritual and symbolic statement and metaphoric reflection that has been misinterpreted.

Preaching mainly in English at Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami at Edmondson Park, Mr Ouf said: “7th of October gave the brothers and sisters in Palestine a few hours of freedom from the concentration camp they were in for years”.

On October 7, 2023, listed terrorist group Hamas launched attacks from Gaza on Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking 250 hostages. The assault triggered Israel’s war in Gaza which has killed tens of thousands.

Mr Ouf is running in the seat of Blaxland backed by two new political movements called The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter.

Mr Ouf is running in the seat of Blaxland backed by two new political movements called The Muslim Vote and Muslim Votes Matter. Picture: Tim Hunter.

He wants Australia to impose sanctions on Israel similar to those South Africa faced during apartheid.

In his November 2024 sermon, Mr Ouf said “the 7th of October for us, those living outside Gaza, is an opportunity for us to free ourselves” from the “dunya”, being material wealth such as investment properties and new cars.

“The chains around our hands are the love of the dunya,” Mr Ouf said. “Break these chains, the way your brothers and sisters in Gaza broke the chains one day.

“I felt like I was dead and 7th of October gave me life and did free me.”

Earlier in the sermon, Mr Ouf, who is a Cumberland City councillor, said: “You come and you take my land and you occupy myland and you oppress my people and you kill them, what do you expect me to do? I’m going to resist and make jihad … you are the anger of Allah and the punishment of Allah.”

Jihad can simply mean struggle and Mr Ouf did not mention Israel or Gaza in that part of his unscripted address. He has since said these remarks were not a reference to the events of October 7 and that he was making a “spiritual and symbolic statement”.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin said “the last thing we need in this election campaign are candidates” making comments “completely antithetical to our way of life and the values that have made this country exceptional.”

Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto said: “Ahmed Ouf’s chilling sermon should send a shiver down the spine of every Australian.”

In a November 2024 sermon, Mr Ouf said “the 7th of October for us, those living outside Gaza, is an opportunity for us to free ourselves” from the “dunya”, meaning material wealth. Source: Australian Islamic House's Facebook page

Asked about his sermon, Mr Ouf said through his campaign manager the comments were about “the universal duty to stand against ­oppression”.

“Gaza was cited as a clear example of human suffering and systemic oppression. He was affirming the inalienable right of all people to resist occupation, through lawful, principled means, as recognised under international law, and was not about any specific date,” Mr Ouf’s campaign manager said.

The reference to the “the anger of Allah” was a “spiritual and symbolic statement about justice and personal responsibility,” the manager said. Mr Ouf’s comment that October 7 gave him life was a “metaphoric reflection, not a political statement”.

Concerns about the sermon have emerged as Mr Ouf mounts what he and his supporters believe is the first serious challenge to Jason Clare in the 18 years the Labor government minister has held Blaxland, an area from Lidcombe to Merrylands.

“I told Ahmed I think he’s won the seat already,” said Ziad Basyouny, a GP also aiming to become an independent MP by ousting Mr Clare’s cabinet colleague Tony Burke in the electorate of Watson in a contest he believes will be “so close”.

Dr Basyouny has also had his share of controversy.

Five days after the October 7 attack, he shared a social media post depicting the attack alongside an Arabic caption stating: “Dreams, my friend, come true for those who seek and work to see them come true!”

After that was attacked by Jewish groups, Dr Basyouny later said the post was not an endorsement of the massacre, and “asa doctor, as a Muslim, as a human, killing civilians is never right.”

So what chance do they stand? Leading pollster Kos Samaras of Redbridge said: “I wouldn’t rule it out. But all the planets have to align.”

This includes getting Liberal preferences.

The Opposition is rumoured to be putting Labor ahead of The Muslim Vote-backed candidates. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The Opposition is rumoured to be putting Labor ahead of The Muslim Vote-backed candidates.

However, that’s not set in stone. “If the Liberal Party were mercenary” by “running dead” and directing their preferences to Mr Ouf and Dr Basyouny, “that would be the difference.”

Mr Ouf’s goal is to outpoll Mr Clare 80-20 in three of the electorate’s 22 suburbs – Auburn, South Granville and Guildford – all part of his council ward. That, he said, would deliver a 30 per cent primary vote and victory.

Mr Ouf said the most important issues were the cost of living and the lack of funding for hospitals and schools.

Dr Basyouny has a similar view. He also believes you should be able to keep more of what you earn in overtime.