Trending Now - Australian PM Faces Backlash From Protesters at Ramadan Gathering
WHO:
Gamel Kheir, the mosque’s secretary
Protesters referred to PM Albanese as a "putrid dog" and a "genocide supporter"
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese
Worshippers at a mosque in Sydney
Protesters expressing discontent with the government
WHAT:
Protesters shouted, "Why is he in here? Get him out of here!" during the incident
Albanese was taken into an office inside the mosque by security before being escorted to his motorcade
Albanese reported that "overwhelmingly, the reception was incredibly positive" despite the heckling
Video images showed protesters interrupting proceedings about 15 minutes after Albanese and Burke joined worshippers at Lakemba Mosque.
Security guards tackled one heckler to the ground before escorting him away.
Protesters yelled, "Shame on you!" as Albanese and Burke left the mosque.
A disturbance occurred during an Eid al-Fitr event at a mosque
Worshippers jeered, booed, and shouted “Allahu akbar”
Protesters called PM Albanese and others “genocide supporters”
WHERE:
Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney, Australia
A major mosque in Sydney, Australia
WHEN:
The incident occurred on March 20th, 2026, during the Eid al-Fitr prayers.
The incident took place overnight on March 19th, 2026, during the Eid al-Fitr celebration marking the end of Ramadan
WHY:
Some in Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities expressed anger over the government's response to the Israel-Gaza war, citing concerns for Palestinians while backing Israel's right to self-defense.
The protests were in response to the Australian government's backing of Israel's actions in the Israel-Gaza war
Rising Islamophobia in Australia has angered many Muslim Australians
HOW:
Kheir urged the crowd to "Respect the place you’re in" and emphasized the need for "frank and open dialogue" with political leaders
Albanese posted photos on X showing him smiling and shaking hands with attendees at the mosque
An organizer urged the crowd to "keep calm a little bit" and to stop filming the incident, stating, "It is Eid. It is a joyful day."
Protesters expressed their discontent vocally during the event, demanding the PM and others leave the mosque
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 23:07 UTC)
During a visit to a mosque, Prime Minister Albanese faced a hostile crowd, with protesters shouting insults and demanding he leave. Despite the heckling, Albanese later reported that the overall reception was "incredibly positive," sharing photos on X of himself smiling and engaging with attendees. Gamel Kheir, the mosque’s secretary, called for respect and emphasized the importance of open dialogue with political leaders as security escorted Albanese to his motorcade.
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(UPDATED March 20, 2026 17:18 UTC)
During Eid al-Fitr prayers today at Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney, protesters interrupted the proceedings about 15 minutes after Prime Minister Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke joined worshippers. The situation escalated as security guards tackled one heckler to the ground while protesters shouted, "Shame on you!" as the ministers left the mosque, reflecting the anger from some in Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities over the government's response to the Israel-Gaza war. An organizer attempted to calm the crowd, urging them to stop filming and reminding everyone that it is a joyful day.
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(UPDATED March 20, 2026 11:10 UTC)
Overnight on March 19, a disturbance erupted during an Eid al-Fitr celebration at a major mosque in Sydney, where worshippers jeered and shouted “Allahu akbar” in response to protesters accusing Prime Minister Albanese and others of being “genocide supporters.” The protests were fueled by anger over the Australian government's support for Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, as well as rising Islamophobia in the country. As tensions escalated, protesters vocally demanded that the Prime Minister and his associates leave the mosque.