Mosque attendees have heckled and even yelled the contentious phrase “Allahu Akbar” at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke during an official visit to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid.
“Allahu Akbar” translates to “God is greatest” in Arabic, but has also been chanted by several extremist Islamic terrorists.
Albanese and Burke arrived on the morning of March 20 at Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney, Australia’s largest mosque.
They joined in Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer on the Islamic calendar. The pair’s appearance comes amid the backdrop of the Bondi Beach terror attacks and ongoing social cohesion issues.
Both men sat down on the floor in the front with their shoes off, according to Muslim custom, and listened as speakers delivered speeches criticising their stance on the Gaza War.
Criticism Against Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Lebanese Muslim Association Secretary Gamel Kheir then addressed the crowd, which became increasingly agitated.
Kheir referenced the mosque’s past support for The Voice referendum and drew parallels between Indigenous Aboriginals and Palestinians.
“The same first nation people of Palestine also sought recognition and legitimacy,” he said.
He also warned of rising Islamophobia in Australia.
“We have seen the rise of the far right anti-immigration agenda so proudly represented by the likes of Pauline Hanson and the certain elements of the Coalition party,” he said.
Kheir also lamented that the Australian Muslim community had not any impact on federal policy or legislation by remaining isolated.
He said if Muslims wanted to put an end to the political “right,” they must engage in frank dialogue with leaders.
In video posted online, some attendees can be heard shouting “Allahu Akbar,” as well as directing phrases like “genocide supporter,” “he’s got to respect us,” and “get them out of there” at the ministers.
One man also had to be held back.
Albanese and Burke were escorted from the prayer hall shortly afterwards, as heckling continued.
Kheir tried to maintain decorum saying, “This is a mosque.”
New South Wales Police Force told The Epoch Times that officers were issued a 33-year-old man with a move-on notice, which he complied with.
Lakemba Mosque is located within Minister Burke’s electorate of Watson.
While the Christian values party Family First said the episode exposed the presence of radical Islam locally.
Islamic Communities Require Standards: Former PM
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this year that Islamic institutions in Australia needed to improve on how they manage their congregations.“Islamic leaders have a pastoral duty to protect their communities from radicalisation,” he said.
“I believe most take this responsibility very seriously, however, stronger institutional frameworks would assist them and would also expose those who do not share their commitment.”
Morrison called for a nationally consistent, self-regulated standards, including a recognised accreditation framework for imams, a national register for public-facing roles, clear training, and conduct requirements and disciplinary authority for their governing councils which would require a peak body to enforce membership standards.
“Religious leaders must also clearly reject political Islam and transnational movements that weaponise faith for power rather than worship and warn their faithful about such movements.
“Mosques and Islamic organisations should commit to safeguarding standards, supported by independent complaints and review bodies with audit powers that extend to dangerous teaching and unhealthy influencers, particularly among the young.”
