The Canterbury-Bankstown Council has made history yet again with its decision on Tuesday 22 October, to fly the Lebanese flag outside both its Bankstown and Campsie premises on the National Day of Lebanon (22 November).
This decision not only honours the Lebanese Australian community but also raises further awareness about the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
The unanimous passing of this Motion follows the Council’s ground-breaking move in late October, 2023 to raise the Palestinian flag, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting communities in need and addressing global challenges.
At its most recent meeting, Council voted to fly the Lebanese flag in solidarity with the Lebanese community, many of whom reside in the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area.
At the time of the 2021 Census, over a quarter of a million Australians reported Lebanese ancestry, and with 20 per cent of the Australian Lebanese population living in the Canterbury- Bankstown LGA, this action is a meaningful show of support during a time of immense crisis.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, himself of Lebanese descent, described the current situation in Lebanon as “heartbreaking.”
“My birthplace, and the birthplace of tens of thousands of residents in our City of Canterbury-Bankstown, is burning,” Mayor El-Hayek told AMUST.
“The physical scars of the landscape pale in comparison to the thousands of lives lost and the mental scars of those injured or left homeless.”
City of Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek
Along with the flag-raising on 22 November, the Council will also host an interfaith prayer vigil to bring people of all faiths together in a call for peace.
Mayor El-Hayek urged Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, to provide increased financial aid and humanitarian assistance to Lebanon.
“How many more innocent lives must be lost before peace is restored?” the Mayor asked.
“All lives matter, no matter the colour of your skin, your religious beliefs or your place of birth.”
The decision to raise the Lebanese flag follows the same Council’s historic decision late last year to fly the Palestinian flag in response to humanitarian issues in Gaza.
Led by Councillor (now Deputy Lord Mayor) Khodr Saleh, that move sent a strong message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and sparked conversations about justice, human rights and peace.
New deputy Mayor Khodr Saleh OAM proudly waving the Palestinian flag outside the Canterbury-Bankstown Council Chambers.
While the Palestinian flag-raising unjustly attracted some negative comments from some sections of the community, the Council to its great credit stood by its decision, emphasising that the gesture was grounded in compassion and human dignity and its commitment to these values continues with the recent decision to honour the Lebanese community in a similar way.
The Council is also famously undertaking another significant initiative to plant 30,000 olive trees across the LGA as a further gesture of solidarity with Gaza.
The first of these symbolic plantings was on Eid-ul-Fitr 2024, when the Mayor planted an olive tree outside the iconic Lakemba Mosque.
The olive tree symbolises peace, resilience and remembrance, with each tree planted honouring one of the first 30,000 innocent lives lost in Gaza since 7 October , 2023.
“These are all actions that reflect the values of our residents,” Mayor El-Hayek explained.
In a show of support for Gaza, the first of 30,000 olive trees was planted outside Lakemba Mosque on Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 – another initiative by Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
“Our responsibility is to foster unity and offer support to those who need it – whether they are here in our city or halfway around the world.”
“These flags are more than symbols – they represent the struggles and hopes of people in our community.”
“Flying the Palestinian – and now the Lebanese – flags sends a clear message: we stand with our communities and will continue to do so.”
The decision to fly the Lebanese flag on Lebanon’s National Day is yet another ground-breaking move by the Canterbury-Bankstown Council, reinforcing its commitment to standing with communities during times of crisis.
By making these symbolic gestures, the Council sends a powerful message of unity and support, demonstrating how local governments can play a meaningful role in addressing global issues.
No Council in Australia has been more proactive in this area,
As the Lebanese flag is hoisted on November 22, it will serve as a reminder of the humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon and the importance of standing together as a community.
May Allah, the Most Merciful, bless and protect the beautiful people of Palestine and Lebanon, and all others suffering in troubled regions around the world. May He grant strength and perseverance to the oppressed and bring swift justice upon the oppressors, guiding humanity toward peace, compassion and unity.
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