Friday morning 21 April saw the traditional Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers held at the Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb Mosque at Lakemba in Sydney, marking the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
An estimated crowd of almost 40,000 worshippers flocked to the historic masjid, which is facilitated by one of Australia’s oldest Islamic charitable organisation, the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA).
For the first time since 2019, attendances at Eid Prayers weren’t impacted by COVID-19 health restrictions and community hesitancy associated with the pandemic.
And it was evident even prior to daybreak that a huge crowd was imminent this year, with the mosque and its recently refurbished underground area quickly filling to capacity, causing the congregation to spill over into the car park and onto nearby streets, walkways and pavements.
Worshippers utilised every available vantage point to pray including the length and width of Wangee Rd, as far as the eye could see.
The LMA welcomed some a large contingent of politicians from the three tiers of government, who joined religious, business and other community leaders as official guests at the gathering on the first day of Eid.
The VIPs were hosted in style by the LMA board, with an intimate breakfast prior to Eid Prayers in the Association’s Grand Hall, which was superbly and tastefully decorated, with an Arabian theme.
Newly elected NSW Premier Chris Minns received a warm reception when introduced to the public during the traditional post-Eid Prayers speeches on the steps of Lakemba Mosque by the MC Gamel Kheir, LMA Secretary.
Flanked by many of his MPs including Ministers Sophie Cotsis, Steve Kamper and Jihad Dib, the Premier praised the LMA for the leadership it showed the Muslim community during the pandemic and subsequently.
“You’ve welcomed people into your homes, your mosques and your community centres,” he said.
“New South Wales is a strong and connected society….we come from different backgrounds and cultures and faith traditions but together, we are richer for it.”
Mr Minns also pointed out that, “a new chapter has recently been written with the investiture of the first ever Muslim Cabinet Minister in New South Wales, Jihad Dib,” and that it was a “watershed moment” when the new Minister for Customer Service was sworn in, holding the Qur’an.”
“Jihad Dib may be the first Muslim Cabinet Minister in this state but he most certainly will not be the last,” Premier Minns concluded.
Federal government Ministers and local MPs Tony Burke and Jason Clare are both great friends of the LMA and have been regular attendees at Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Lakemba for many years. Mr Burke represented Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at this year’s blessed event.
The current Leader of the House and Employment Minister, Mr Burke thanked Muslims “for a month of fasting, a month of acts of charity and a month of prayer.”
“Twenty years ago when I first joined you here, there were media stories and constant attempts by some members of parliament to undermine our community….to view us as something less than what we are,” Mr Burke said.
“But that is now starting to turn. Finally, we are seeing positive news stories about Muslims in our community, (positive news stories) about the Lebanese Muslim Association, and we are seeing acts of generosity.”
“As I move around Australia, I am hearing people say, ‘oh, you live in Punchbowl….you represent Lakemba, that must be an incredible place to live’!”
“And it’s our community which has led this turnaround and which is now an example to the rest of Australia that multicultural Australia – and communities led here in so many ways by Muslim Australia – represent the best of modern Australia.”
“I now sit in a Cabinet room that involves Ed Husic as a Muslim Minister in a federal government and Anne Aly also as a Minister….and she grew up here in Lakemba.”
NSW Liberal MP Mark Coure complimented the LMA on working with the previous state government and acquiring an aged care centre in Bankstown which is being upgraded to benefit the elderly in our community.
He also acknowledged the Liberal member for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad, the NSW parliament’s first female Muslim member of the Lower House.
An LMA board member himself many years ago, Jihad Dib also received a warm welcome at the podium, commencing his address by stating, “May all your prayers, duas, fasting and acts of charity be accepted.”
Mr Dib also praised the way the Muslim community has opened up its hearts and its doors to everybody and added: “Modern, multicultural Australia is a place for everybody, where everybody has a part to play and where everybody’s role is just as important as everybody else’s.”
“I stand here incredibly proud to be the first Muslim MP (sworn in) holding the family’s Holy Qur’an and I did this to send a message that everybody belongs.”
“You belong no matter where you come from, no matter what your faith is, no matter what colour your skin is and no matter what language you speak.”
Commenting on the phenomenal crowd, Mr Dib told this writer later in the morning: “I’ve been attending Eid Prayers here since I was a kid and this would have to be the largest crowd I can ever remember.”
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