The tension between the Muslim community and the federal government erupted dramatically today, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encountered vocal protests at Lakemba Mosque in south-west Sydney. This confrontation underscores the community’s growing frustrations.

In anticipation of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which conclude the sacred month of Ramadan, Albanese, together with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke—whose constituency includes Lakemba—attended the event. However, their presence was met with hostility from certain members of the crowd.

During a speech delivered to the congregation, a group of protesters disrupted the proceedings by heckling the Prime Minister and Burke. Shouts of “shame,” “disgrace,” and accusations of being “genocide supporters” filled the mosque, with demands that the officials be removed from the premises.

Despite attempts by the speaker and other community members to calm the situation, the protesters remained undeterred in their vocal opposition. Albanese and Burke maintained their seats throughout the ordeal, choosing not to engage directly with the protesters.

Ultimately, after approximately 15 minutes of continued disruption, the security team accompanying the officials seemed to signal for their departure, suggesting that the situation required a discreet exit to maintain order and safety for all involved.

But after about 15 minutes, their security detail appeared to signal that they should leave.

NSW Police were called to the mosque over a disturbance about 8am and ordered a 33-year-old man to move on. He was escorted out without any further incident.

The man, Sheikh Mukhlis, said he was thrown off the stairs barefoot after heckling Albanese and Burke.

“The question we need to ask ourselves is why are they there in our sacred places, in our sacred times, put up in front, smiling for photos,” he said in a social media video.

“The irony is, if you listen to what the sheikh was actually saying in his khutbah, about our happiness being incomplete because there isn’t peace in Gaza and there’s a war in Lebanon.

The Muslim community has been divided on whether the federal government should be invited to events due to their ongoing strained relationship.

There have been increased tensions due to criticisms of the government’s response to the Israeli war in Gaza, the increase in Islamophobic attacks in Australia and the NSW Police’s response to Muslim men who were praying during a protest in Sydney.

Lakemba Mosque itself has received several hateful and threatening letters this year, which it said have left the community fearful.

Today was the first time the Lebanese Muslim Association invited Albanese to the Lakemba Mosque since October 7, 2023.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary and spokesman Hajj Gamel Kheir said choosing to re-engage with the government is a way to give their concerns a voice.

“Walking away from engagement has not advanced our community, nor has it changed outcomes overseas,” he said in a statement after the incident this morning.

“We do not open our doors for appearances.

“We do so because real conversations require access, and because our community deserves to be heard directly, not spoken about from a distance.”

In a social media post after the commotion, Albanese said it was an honour to attend the Lakemba Mosque.

“Eid Mubarak. An honour to join thousands for Eid al-Fitr at Lakemba Mosque this morning,” he said.

Albanese also visited the Lakemba Ramadan Night Markets with his wife Jodie and Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek earlier this month.

9news.com.au has contacted Albanese and Burke for comment. 

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