Australian PM Heckled at Sydney Mosque During Eid Event

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was heckled during Eid prayers at Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque, one of the nation’s largest.

Attendees shouted “boo” and “get out of here,” accusing Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke of being “genocide supporters.” The protest centered on Australia’s stance on the Israel-Gaza war and rising Islamophobia.

One demonstrator was removed by police but released without charge. As Albanese exited, protesters continued to demand his removal, calling his presence “a disgrace.”

The Lebanese Muslim Association, which operates the mosque, affirmed Albanese was welcome, stating engagement with elected leaders gives their community a voice amid heightened emotions over Gaza and Lebanon.

Albanese claimed most of the 30,000+ attendees welcomed him warmly. He suggested unrest stemmed from his government’s recent ban on extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

This marks the first time a sitting prime minister attended Eid prayers since the October 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict began-sparking surging tensions, including antisemitism and Islamophobia across Australia.