A man accused of recruiting others to fight with terrorist organisations in Syria has successfully applied to live at a southwest Sydney mosque for the final weeks of Ramadan.
Hamdi Alqudsi appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday with his solicitor Zali Burrows for a variation of bail conditions hearing.
She asked that he be allowed to reside at the Minto mosque from July 7-17, so he could observe the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer.
Alqudsi was charged in December 2013 with six offences under the Foreign Incursions Act for allegedly helping seven men get to Syria between June and October that year.
His application was challenged by the Crown, with prosecutors arguing "a house of worship is not a place of residence" and that police would have difficulty accessing the mosque to check Alqudsi was complying with other bail conditions.
But Ms Burrows said it was unlikely to present any practical concern because her client was under constant surveillance from authorities.
"With respect, your honour, I would say that particular mosque, I would assume would be under constant surveillance. Mr Alqudsi is under constant surveillance," she told the court.
Justice Robert Beech-Jones allowed the requested bail variation, given the length of time Alqudsi had already been on bail and the "clearly important purpose" of the request.
"The applicant asks to vary his bail for a short period to facilitate his participation in worship activities during the Ramadan period," Justice Beech-Jones said.
Alqudsi will be required to live and sleep at the mosque, report to police daily, and keep to a daily curfew between 10pm and 5am.
He is expected to face trial in September.
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