Courage and generosity highlight Mayor’s annual Iftar speech

On Friday, 6 March, City of Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek hosted the 2026 Mayoral Iftar at the spectacular Highline Venue in Bankstown, bringing together around 500 prominent guests from across public, religious, civic and community life for one of the largest Ramadan gatherings in Sydney.

The annual event drew imams and other religious figures, community leaders, councillors and other politicians, diplomats, business figures and sporting and media representatives, reflecting the diversity of Canterbury-Bankstown and the broad support for the Muslim community during Ramadan.

Opening his address, Mayor El-Hayek welcomed the wide cross-section of guests and paid tribute to special attendees whose recent public experiences had touched the wider Australian community. 

Among them were Ahmed Al Ahmed, internationally recognised for his courageous intervention during the Bondi tragedy, and Matt and Kelly O’Brien, the parents of 12-year-old Charlotte O’Brien, whose tragic death after school bullying prompted national reflection and advocacy.

“Thank you all for being here….I welcome everyone to this beautiful celebration, for coming together to break bread and showing your support and love for the Muslim community,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

A central theme of the Mayor’s speech was concern over the sharp rise in anti-Muslim hostility. 

Referring to recent figures, he warned that “in the last 12 months, things have gone much worse, an alarming 740 per cent increase in reported cases of Islamophobia.”

He pointed to anti-Muslim graffiti, threats directed at Lakemba Mosque and abuse aimed at Muslim women and girls wearing the hijab, describing such incidents as “shameful and intimidating.”

He also reflected on the aftermath of the Bondi attack, saying the Muslim community had responded immediately with solidarity and compassion.

“At the time, the Muslim community stood up and condemned this terror attack,” he said. 

“Indeed, Canterbury-Bankstown Council led a delegation of Sydney Councils who visited Bondi just days after the tragedy – and harmony, not hate, was the very key message.”

The Mayor strongly criticised political rhetoric that he believed deepened division, saying public commentary by the likes of Pauline Hanson had unfairly targeted Muslims and created vision, rather than strengthening social cohesion. 

Yet he contrasted that negativity with a deeply personal moment of encouragement he received during the public debate.

“At the height of those attacks, a softly spoken woman called and spoke so passionately, praising our community as loving and generous and denouncing hate,” he said.

“That softly spoken woman was Kelly O’Brien.”

The audience responded warmly as Kelly O’Brien was acknowledged from the floor, with Bilal El-Hayek thanking her for choosing unity over division and paying tribute to Kelly and husband Matt for forming the initiative Charlotte’s Wish, which does so much great work in turning personal tragedy into practical advocacy for safer schools and better emotional support for children.

Turning to the meaning of Ramadan, the Mayor said the purpose of the Iftar was clear: “It is about bringing the community together during the holy month of Ramadan and reminding us of who we are – for our generosity and healing, our empathy and love not only for our family but for all.”

He also spoke of world events weighing heavily on local families and offered prayers for peace and justice for those suffering overseas.

The evening ended with Ramadan greetings and thanks to councillors, community leaders and guests whose presence reinforced the city’s multicultural spirit.

In both tone and substance, Bilal El-Hayek again demonstrated why he is widely respected: a mayor willing to defend social harmony, speak plainly against hatred and use public office to strengthen the moral fabric of his city.