The 41st AMANAH-MEFF Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair welcomed thousands of Sydneysiders from over 35 communities on Sunday 22 March 2026 at Fairfield Showground.
Held on the first Sunday following Eid ul Fitr, AMANAH-MEFF once again cemented its place as Sydney’s first, the largest, and the longest-running Eid festival in Australia.
What began 41 years ago as a gathering for a community seeking belonging has grown into an institution that reflects the very best of success story called Multicultural Australia.
Honouring family, community and legacy
The day’s formal proceedings opened with a VIP reception at 10.30 AM bringing together community leaders, elected officials and prominent figures shaping our multicultural community.
MC Ainee, an Indonesian-Australian author and proud product of Western Sydney, set a deeply personal tone. Having grown up in an era with little Muslim representation, she described AMANAH-MEFF as the one place that normalised Eid celebrations and gave her generation a safe space to belong.
The formal proceedings of the reception commenced with a beautiful Quran recitation by Ali Alsalami, followed by a warm welcome from MEFF President, Aamir Ahmad.
A particularly moving moment came from Zafira Akbar, daughter of the late Mr Aziz Akbar, whose tribute reminded the room of her father’s foundational contributions to building what MEFF is today.
Speakers across the afternoon, included Sheikh Ahmed Abdo, psychologist Zebunissa Khan, author, publisher Melati Lum, Dr David Saliba, NSW State MP for Fairfield, Professor Mehmet Ozalp and MEFF’s major sponsor: AMANAH Finance, each brought different perspectives, but their message converged on the same theme: unity, family, and the power of community, especially in challenging times.
The Opening ceremony of AMANAH-MEFF 2026 was held at 12 noon from the main stage with the singing of the Australian Anthem, addresses by prominent speakers and performances by children, martial arts displays, quizzes, awards that continued with several sessions till 7 PM concluding with a spectacular fireworks display.
A Moment of faith and reflection
The festival made space for the congregational Dhuhr prayer at 1.15 PM followed by a collective du’a led by Sheikh Ahmed Abdo, Chairman of the Imams Council of NSW, that moved many in attendance deeply.
Sheikh Abdo made du’a for the Muslim ummah suffering as a result of colonial occupation, imperial attacks and oppression in Muslim lands beginning, as he implored, with the occupation of our own hearts.
Families first, From the very first gate
From the moment the gates swung open at 10am, it was clear this was a day built for families. Strollers weaved between stalls. Children tugged parents in three directions at once.
Everywhere you looked, generations were together; grandparents watching toddlers on Thomas the Train, teenagers lining up for rock climbing, fathers hoisting children onto camel rides for the very first time.
A wonderful variety of stalls showcased cuisines from across the globe, from fragrant Middle Eastern classics to vibrant South and Southeast Asian dishes and beyond, offering something for every palate and every family.
Cultural performances brought communities to their feet throughout the afternoon, and the showground hummed with the warmth of people who were, for a day, simply happy to be together.
And when a brief spell of rain made a passing appearance mid-festival, it barely raised an eyebrow.
True to its design, the majority of AMANAH-MEFF is undercover, making it just as welcoming in a Sydney downpour as it is under the blazing Australian sun.
The skies cleared quickly, and the celebration rolled on without missing a beat.
The volunteers: The heart and soul of it all
None of it would have been possible without the volunteers. From the early-morning set-up crews to the smiling faces guiding families through gates, managing queues, and ensuring everything ran smoothly long after sunset, the volunteers of AMANAH-MEFF are, in the truest sense, the heartbeat of this festival.
A fireworks finale unlike any other
As dusk fell over Fairfield Showground, the crowd gathered in anticipation. At 7:45 PM, the sky erupted in one of the finest fireworks displays many in attendance had ever witnessed.
Then, as the final bursts of colour faded, something unexpected lit up the night: a Free Palestine sign, glowing against the smoke-filled sky — a moment of collective emotion that brought celebration and conscience together as one.
One long-time attendee, who has been coming to MEFF for over 15 years, said it best: “This year felt different. There was so much barakah and the atmosphere felt so warm. And then, unexpectedly, the Free Palestine sign lit up — and my mind was blown out of this universe.”
Hearts with Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and beyond
As the night drew to a close, the community gathered once more in prayer.
Following Maghreb, a collective du’a was offered for brothers and sisters in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and across the world. It was a reminder that joy and solidarity are not opposites. At AMANAH-MEFF, they go hand in hand.
“We were thrilled to see such a large and enthusiastic crowd come together to celebrate Eid,” said Aamir Ahmad, President of the Australian MEFF Consortium. “MEFF is a testament to the strength of community spirit and the richness of cultural diversity in Australia.”
AMANAH-MEFF 2026 was made possible through its generous sponsors and supporters:
Major Sponsor: AMANAH Islamic Finance
Platinum Sponsors: Human Appeal Australia, Muslim Aid Australia
Gold Sponsors: SBS Special Broadcasting Services, SBS Fence and Toilet Hire, Dilmah Silver Sponsors: Aussie Skips, Bright Reality, Casula Dental Care, Taj Food
MEFF is an initiative of Islamic Foundation for Education & Welfare (IFEW) and its Media Partner is Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST).
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