As sunset approached in the south-western Sydney suburb of Lakemba last week, the street outside the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque filled with thousands of people - most of whom found a seat at one of many trestle tables covered with white table cloths.
The mosque was hosting a community Iftar: the evening meal that marks the end of daily fasting in Ramadan.
The tables were divided into sections, marked by buffet stations labelled 'women' and 'men', and as the sun went down families brought out boxes of dates to break their fast, offering them around to neighbours and other guests.
Yet despite the family-friendly vibe of this event, a police surveillance trailer parked in the road - complete with 360 cameras on tall poles - spoke to fears among the community. After being on the receiving end of several threats, community leaders requested extra police presence throughout Ramadan. They also employed private security.
We are going through very challenging times at the moment for the Muslim community and Australia in general, said Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, who organized the community Iftar.
Muslims in Australia are increasingly feeling the impact of rising Islamophobia. According to the Islamophobia Register Australia, incidents of threats toward Muslims surged by 636% following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with an average of 18 cases reported each week since then.
In this atmosphere of fear, leaders like Kheir emphasize the importance of community gatherings, stating, If ever there was a need for communities to come together and break bread, I would say this year is more [important] than ever.
Despite the challenges, events like Eid highlight the vibrant culture and resilience of Australia's Muslim community, allowing them to celebrate their faith and heritage while standing against the increasing tide of Islamophobia.
