Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled and urged to leave Lakemba Mosque during Eid al-Fitr prayers amid protests over Australia’s Gaza and Lebanon policy.
Incident at Lakemba Mosque: Heckling Forces Hasty Exit for Albanese and Burke:
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke were heckled and urged to leave Lakemba Mosque on Friday morning during Eid al-Fitr prayers, with a small group of worshippers shouting “genocide supporters,” “disgrace,” “shame” and “get them out of here.” The confrontation unfolded in front of thousands at one of Australia’s most significant Muslim landmarks, underscoring raw community frustration over the government’s handling of the Israel-Gaza war and escalations in Lebanon.
The incident occurred despite an invitation from the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), which operates the mosque. Albanese and Burke remained seated through the post-prayer address before making a hasty exit, avoiding a larger crowd outside. No violence was reported, one protester was removed and given a move-on direction without charge, and the event continued.
Albanese Downplays Incident as LMA Defends Engagement:
Footage circulating online and broadcast by major outlets captures the moment worshippers stood and shouted while others in the packed hall remained seated. Albanese later told reporters the overall reception was “incredibly positive” and that “a couple of hecklers” were swiftly dealt with by the community itself. He suggested the backlash stemmed partly from his government’s outlawing of “extremist organisations” like Hizb ut-Tahrir under new hate laws introduced after the 2025 Bondi terror attack.
The LMA pushed back on any narrative of division, releasing a statement within hours: “Mr Albanese was welcome at the prayers and we will continue to open our doors. We understand emotions are high, particularly given the ongoing suffering in Gaza and the devastation in Lebanon. These are not distant issues for our community. Choosing to engage with the elected leadership of this country is not a betrayal of those concerns-it is how we give them a voice.”
Gamel Kheir, addressing the congregation live, called for calm and later described the community as “divided and angry” but emphasised the need for direct access to government. A member of the Stand for Palestine group, Mukhlis Mah, questioned why politicians were present “smiling for photos” at a sacred time.
This is the first time Albanese has visited Lakemba Mosque since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Tony Burke, whose electorate covers the area, had previously abandoned a similar Ramadan event in 2025 after protest plans surfaced.
Gaza War Fuels Growing Tensions in Australia’s Muslim Communities:
Australia’s Muslim communities-especially in Western Sydney-have become more vocal since the Gaza war. Anthony Albanese has called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution, and in August 2025 announced plans to recognise Palestine at the UN. He also criticised Benjamin Netanyahu over civilian suffering.
However, critics say the government hasn’t gone far enough, citing continued ties with Israel and the U.S., and support for actions in Lebanon. Rising tensions, civilian casualties, and the March 2026 ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir have further fueled anger.
Lakemba Mosque remains a key hub for Muslim communities, with repeated protests at major events. The latest incident shows how Middle East conflicts are increasingly influencing Australia’s domestic politics.