Prayers, protesters at end-of-Ramadan celebrations
Alex Mitchell, Kat Wong and Tom Wark |
Festivities marking one of the Islamic calendar’s most important dates have brought community tensions to the fore, with the prime minister heckled at Australia’s biggest mosque.
Thousands of people lined the streets surrounding Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s west on Friday morning as they took part in morning prayers ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
But proceedings were disrupted by a small group heckling Anthony Albanese inside the mosque, labelling the prime minister a “disgrace”, “shame” and a “genocide supporter”.
Mr Albanese left via a side exit, dodging a large crowd waiting for him on the mosque’s steps.
Community tensions were high after Australia’s defence of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, said Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir, whose organisation runs the mosque.
In a speech in front of the prime minister, Mr Kheir lambasted the government while saying engaging with political leaders was the best way to build a better future for Australia’s Muslim community.
“We have seen the extreme rise in Islamophobia and targeted attacks on the Muslim community, both in the media and in the public … this very mosque has had four threats already,” he said.
“We need to have these deep intellectual discussions in regards to how we navigate the path of engaging political leadership, the media and the wider Australian public.”
Forced to pause his speech as protesters interjected with comments directed at the prime minister, Mr Kheir told the hecklers to “respect the place you’re in”.
“Please, this is a mosque,” he said.
Mr Albanese said a small number of hecklers did not tarnish an otherwise warm welcome from a 30,000-strong crowd.
“It was dealt with by the community themselves, because overwhelmingly, they did not want that to occur,” he said.
“It was about respect for a very important day, Eid, for the Muslim community there … I thank them for the very warm reception.”
One man was dragged out by police after booing Mr Albanese, but was released without charge after being given a move-on direction.
Mr Albanese remained calm and sat listening as Mr Kheir spoke, later dismissing reports he was rushed away as inaccurate.
For Mr Kheir, it was important the prime ministerial visit was more than a photo opportunity.
“This is a time to call him out and to say to him vividly what is happening to this community and the pressure that it’s under cannot be sustained anymore,” he told AAP.
Friday marks Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Ramadan observance marked by prayers and daily fasting.
Showgrounds and mosques across the nation will be packed for the weekend as one million Australian Muslims celebrate the end of the holy month.
While Ramadan is noted for its importance in spiritual reflection, Eid represents a chance for the community to celebrate with food, music and family reunions.
In contrast to the chaos of the prime minister’s visit, thousands silently observed Eid prayers at 7.45am, occupying the middle of Lakemba’s Wangee Road.
Uncle-nephew duo Koba and Mohammed reflected on the month-long Ramadan journey while waiting to pray.
“Ramadan is a time to reflect and strengthen your faith, to gather all together spiritually and guide us all together to the right path,” Koba told AAP.
Melbourne Grand Mosque, meanwhile, was expecting more than 15,000 people across five separate services on Friday, its busiest day of the year.
Sharing food and love among families and those under financial stress was a vital aspect of festivities, mosque secretary Imran Khan Mohammed said.
The annual Eid Show in southwest Sydney will meanwhile take on extra significance with the spectre of conflict in the Middle East.
“It means happiness, celebration. It also means hope and looking forward to something in grim times,” organiser Radwan Dadoun told AAP
Both mosques and shows are open to non-Muslims who want to celebrate with their friends and neighbours, with Mr Dadoun having just one piece of advice for the uninitiated.
“Come hungry and come with the beautiful smiles that you have,” he said.
AAP