Over 1.5 million people are expected to attend this year’s Lakemba Nights During Ramadan, making it one of the most successful and diverse community events in Sydney
Located about 19km from the CBD, Lakemba is home to a large Muslim community, but during the month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, it turns into a bazaar of 60 stalls of foods and sweets – uniting Australians from various backgrounds.
This year’s night markets, however, have unfolded against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia and hostile political rhetoric from some sectors. One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson recently even declared in an interview on Sky News: “There are no good Muslims.”
She went on to say: “And I’ve been there myself in Lakemba. You feel unwanted, you’re not wanted to be there.”
Visitors take part in the Taraweeh prayer, a traditional Ramadan prayer. Photo by Mariam Sabih
Central News took to Haldon Street, which hosts the markets for 20 days, asking fellow Sydney residents whether they felt ‘unwanted’.
Balmain resident Isabel said: “The environment has been very friendly, inclusive, it’s really great to see food from all different cultures… We’ve returned, we would come back again.
“It’s a great community event.”
A man selling knafeh. Photo by Mariam Sabih
Eman from Greenacre added: “People are coming here to share foods from cultures… food is political, and we are all here sharing cultures, and currently in the media we have a lot of things going around about the rise of immigrants.
“But look what multiculturalism and immigration bring, it brings diversity, it brings creativity and passion and community.”
A vendor at Chips on a Stick said: “People should come because of the festival and food, so people should come down and enjoy the night.”
Bilal El Hayek, the mayor of Canterbury Bankstown, told Central News: “It’s one of the largest food festivals in the world.
“I invite people to come and talk to people, speak with someone, try to get some food, learn about someone else.”
Tens of thousands of people attend the Ramadan Night markets each day. Photo by Mariam Sabih
A stallholder gives the thumbs up. Photo by Mariam Sabih
Just down the road from the market, threats have been made to the Lakemba Mosque in recent weeks, and this year’s event had a noticeable increase in policing.
“With the climate, the police are a lot more vigilant, with what is happening overseas,” said local beat police officer Mohammad. “Police are more than happy to help; we’re here regardless to ensure everyone’s safety.
“With what’s happening overseas, we are going to have more of a police presence.
Main image by Mariam Sabih.
