Australia cancels visa of Muslim preacher after Sky News incitement
5 Min Read
Hussain Makke had been set to speak at the Miraj Institute in Melbourne and Sydney.
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A screengrab shows Muslim preacher Hussain Makke during one of his lessons. (Social media)
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has revoked the visa of Muslim preacher Hussain Makke, who was scheduled to visit Australia for a speaking tour during the holy month of Ramadan.
The abrupt cancellation followed an aggressive incitement campaign spearheaded by Sky News Australia, which scrutinized Makke’s pro-Resistance rhetoric and his recent attendance at the funeral processions of assassinated Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon.
Media pressure and political backlash
During a live broadcast, Sky News journalist Sharri Markson raised "concerns" about Makke’s visa approval, accusing him of spreading "dangerous views" and "defending terrorism." She also took direct aim at Burke, calling his initial decision to allow Makke into the country a "serious problem."
Makke had been set to speak at the Miraj Institute in Melbourne and Sydney, sharing in a video filmed in Lebanon earlier this week, "In a couple of days I’ll be in Melbourne and Sydney and I’ll see you guys there."
However, following growing political pressure and incitement, his visa was revoked just days before his scheduled arrival.
The world is in Beirut for the million man march.
— Hussain Makke (@HMakke91) February 21, 2025
The visa cancellation came amid calls from opposition figures, including Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson, who urged Burke to take immediate action.
"No one who praises a deceased terrorist let alone attends the funeral organised by a listed terrorist organisation should be welcome in Australia," Paterson told Sky News on Wednesday.
"Tony Burke must ensure Hussain Makke’s visa is refused before his speaking tour commences."
At the time, Burke refused to confirm whether he would intervene. However, by Thursday, Sky News reported that the Home Affairs Department had officially canceled the visa. Makke had taken to social media, accusing Sky News of orchestrating a deliberate character assassination.
"Sky News ran a smear campaign against me today to get me banned from Australia," he wrote.
Sky news ran a smear campaign against me today to get me banned from Australia.
— Hussain Makke (@HMakke91) March 6, 2025
Zionist accounts are currently tweeting MP Tony Burke under this tweet to pressure him into rescinding my Visa. If you would like defend against this attack on free speech and oppressive censorship -… https://t.co/nOEgFUCnZ7 pic.twitter.com/yAvWg5YQ8m
He further stressed that "Zionist accounts" were pressuring Burke to revoke his visa and called on supporters to take action:
"If you would like to defend against this censorship—especially if you are one of his constituents in Sydney—then head over to X and let him know you won't stand for Sky News to make laws on who enters the country."
Politically charged decision
Makke's visa cancellation comes shortly after UK police detained and later released David Miller, Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social and Policy Sciences at the University of Bath.
Miller, an investigative researcher, broadcaster, and academic, is the founder and co-director of the lobbying watchdog Spinwatch and the editor of Powerbase.info. He traveled to Beirut as a journalist to cover the funeral processions of assassinated Hezbollah leaders and document the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.
However, upon his return to the UK, he was detained at Heathrow Airport by British counterterrorism officers and questioned under the Terrorism Act.
According to Miller, he was intercepted by a group of officers as soon as he stepped off his flight from Istanbul. They seized his passport and questioned him about his travels, despite already knowing his full itinerary. He noted that eight officers had been deployed to detain him—an excessive show of force for a journalist returning from a reporting assignment. After three and a half hours of questioning, he was released.
