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Updated 21 March 2026 - Community leaders report unprecedented threats as Ramadan events proceed under heavy security.
Thousands gather for Ramadan Iftar amid heightened security
Last week in Lakemba, a southwestern Sydney suburb, the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque hosted a community Iftar, drawing thousands to break their daily Ramadan fast. Long trestle tables lined the street, divided into sections for men and women, as families shared dates and meals at sunset.
Despite the festive atmosphere, a police surveillance trailer equipped with 360-degree cameras stood nearby, underscoring the community's unease. Organizers, citing a surge in threats, had requested additional police presence and hired private security for the month-long observance.
"We are navigating extremely challenging times, not just for Muslims but for all of Australia. If ever there was a moment for communities to unite, it is now,"
Gamel Kheir, Secretary, Lebanese Muslim Association
Islamophobia spikes after global and local crises
The Islamophobia Register Australia reports a 636% increase in anti-Muslim incidents since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Weekly cases have risen from 2.5 to 18, with many victims choosing not to report due to distrust or fear.
Nora Amath, the Register's executive director, called the figures "the tip of the iceberg," warning that underreporting masks the true scale of the problem. The Bondi Beach massacre in December 2023-Australia's deadliest shooting in decades, carried out by assailants police linked to Islamic State ideology-further fueled anti-Muslim sentiment, with incidents jumping 201% in its aftermath.
Political tensions erupt during Ramadan visit
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke faced jeers and accusations of complicity in "genocide" during a visit to Lakemba Mosque last Friday. Kheir read a statement criticizing Australia's role in the Middle East conflict, reflecting widespread frustration among worshippers.
Lakemba, where 61% of residents identify as Muslim, has long been a cultural hub for Sydney's Muslim community. Established by Lebanese migrants in the 1960s, it now includes South Asian, Middle Eastern, and other immigrant groups. Yet even here, residents describe a growing sense of vulnerability beyond the neighborhood's boundaries.
Everyday life marred by discrimination
Dr. Moshiuzzaman Shakil, a Bangladeshi doctor and Lakemba resident, lost his job as a disability support worker after a client questioned his faith post-Bondi. "They asked if I was Muslim. When I said yes, they let me go," he recalled. "Some people now associate Muslims with terrorism."
While Lakemba's markets and restaurants-serving dishes like Yemeni Mandi chicken-offer a sense of belonging, many Muslims avoid leaving the area, fearing harassment. Recent incidents include a far-right activist storming an Iftar in Ballarat, hurling racist abuse at children, and another man verbally attacking pharmacy staff with slurs like "go back to where you came from."
Political rhetoric fuels division
Senator Pauline Hanson of the far-right One Nation party has intensified anti-Muslim sentiment, wearing a burqa in parliament to advocate for its ban and later questioning whether "good Muslims" exist. Her remarks, censured by the Senate, have emboldened hate speech, according to community leaders.
"Politicians like Hanson have legitimized racism. Our mosque's Facebook posts now attract thousands of vile, bigoted comments-up from just five or ten,"
Gamel Kheir
Dr. Zouhir Gabsi, a senior lecturer in Islamic Studies, compared the backlash to hypothetical anti-Jewish remarks: "If Hanson said the same about Jews, there'd be outrage. But for Muslims, it's tolerated."
Historical wounds resurface
The 2005 Cronulla riots, sparked by an assault on lifeguards and fueled by anti-Middle Eastern sentiment, remain a traumatic memory. Kheir described the community's reaction to recent crises as "curling into the fetal position," fearing each incident will be blamed on Muslims.
Australia's multicultural identity is also under strain. While the government touts its success as a migrant nation, policies like the former White Australia policy and ongoing debates over asylum seekers reveal deep-seated tensions. The 7 October protests, where anti-Jewish chants were reported, and subsequent pro-Palestinian rallies have further polarized public opinion.
Calls for action amid eroding trust
Aftab Malik, Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, warned that repeated attacks undermine social cohesion. "Each incident reinforces the message that Muslim identity is unwelcome," he said during a UN speech last week.
Prime Minister Albanese has condemned Islamophobia, vowing to "stamp out hate," but critics argue his response to antisemitism has been inadequate. Meanwhile, support for One Nation's anti-immigration platform grows, placing the Labor government in a precarious position.
Despite the challenges, Kheir remains committed to fostering unity. "Australia's motto was 'a fair go for all.' Sadly, we're now mirroring other Western nations, where the dominant group seeks to reassert itself at the expense of minorities," he said. "Multiculturalism is just a word for politicians. For migrants, it's a reality of exclusion."
