Albanese, Burke Heckled During Eid Prayers in Sydney Mosque

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke were confronted by a small group of protesters during an Eid prayer event at Lakemba Mosque in Western Sydney.

The disruption occurred after prayers, as the two politicians—who were attending the gathering marking the end of Ramadan—sat quietly while a few attendees shouted criticism and called for their removal. Some in the crowd chanted and accused the leaders of supporting controversial policies, while others welcomed their presence.

Despite the brief disturbance, the event continued after community leaders urged calm. Most of the thousands in attendance remained seated and allowed the proceedings to go on uninterrupted.

Speaking later, Mr Albanese downplayed the incident, noting that more than 30,000 people attended and that the overall reception was “overwhelmingly positive.” He said only a small number of individuals were responsible for the disruption, which was handled by members of the community.

Both Mr Albanese and Mr Burke stayed until the end of the অনুষ্ঠান before leaving the mosque, which is operated by the Lebanese Muslim Association.

The association’s secretary, Gamel Kheir, defended the invitation extended to the prime minister, acknowledging that while it was a sensitive decision, it allowed the community to directly express its concerns to government leaders.

He said the visit was not intended as a publicity opportunity, but rather as a chance for engagement, especially at a time when some community members feel frustrated over issues such as rising Islamophobia and conflicts abroad.

In a statement, the association reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming political leaders, stressing that engagement with elected officials is a way to ensure community voices are heard, even amid strong emotions linked to global events.

However, opinions within the Muslim community remain divided. Some believe politicians should not attend religious gatherings, while others see their presence as an important step toward inclusion and dialogue.

Similar protests have occurred at past Eid events, highlighting ongoing tensions around political participation in religious spaces.