
Protesters boo Anthony Albanese at Sydney mosque during Eid prayers
Protesters boo Anthony Albanese at Sydney mosque during Eid prayers
- Protests erupted during Eid prayers at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
- Demonstrators accused the ministers of supporting genocide and expressed their discontent regarding Australia's position on Israel's actions in Gaza.
- Despite the disturbances, Albanese described the event as overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the larger context of the gathering.
Story
On March 20, 2026, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke attended Eid prayers at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney, marking the conclusion of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. While there, their visit was abruptly disrupted by protesters who expressed their discontent regarding the government's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza. The demonstrators vocally accused the politicians of being 'genocide supporters' and called them 'putrid dogs.' Despite the uproar, the Prime Minister remained composed and later characterized the event as 'incredibly positive,' noting that heckling from a few individuals in a crowd of 30,000 should be viewed in perspective. Video footage from the event captured the hostile atmosphere, where several protesters confronted the ministers and demanded their departure, amid chants and boos directed at them. Security personnel intervened, with one guard seen tackling a heckler to the ground to maintain order during the disturbance. During the chaos, an organizer attempted to calm the crowd, urging attendees to focus on the joy of Eid, but the protest continued, highlighting the tension between the government's policies and the sentiments of various communities in Australia. This incident reflects a growing frustration among some members of the Muslim community towards the Australian government's approach to international conflicts, particularly regarding Israel's military actions in Gaza, revealing deep divisions and emotions surrounding these issues on such significant occasions.