Albanese and Burke Heckled at Lakemba Mosque Eid Event

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke were heckled and forced to leave Lakemba Mosque in southwest Sydney on Friday morning during Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of Ramadan. The incident unfolded around 7:30 a.m. as the leaders sat among thousands of worshippers at the country's largest mosque, owned by the Lebanese Muslim Association.

The disruption began during a speech by association secretary Gamel Kheir, who urged the community to engage with political leaders to address concerns including rising Islamophobia, eroding freedoms and the Australian Muslim community's limited influence on federal policy. Kheir highlighted threats to the mosque, the growth of far-right anti-immigration sentiments and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which he described as an Israeli genocide threatening the Middle East. As he spoke, protesters interrupted with chants of "genocide supporters," "shame" and "disgrace," along with cries of "Allahu Akbar." One vocal individual was tackled and removed by security after raising his voice, while others formed a circle around Albanese and Burke, demanding to know why the prime minister was present.