Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said “diversity is our strength” merely hours after he was chased out of a mosque in Sydney.
Mr Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke visited Lakemba Mosque on Friday, one of the largest in the country, where they were met with chants of “genocide supporters” and “get him out of here”.
Other hecklers could be heard shouting, “putrid dog”, and “he’s responsible for the deaths of one million people”.
Mr Albanese was swiftly escorted out of the mosque’s administrative offices before he was eventually ushered out of a rear exit.
One individual was even removed by the mosque’s security before Mr Albanese left the event, ABC reported.
He was later released without charge and told to move on, according to news outlet Australian Associated Press.
Despite this, the Australian Prime Minister downplayed the chaos by telling reporters the reception he received was “incredibly positive”.
“I walked through the crowd to the mosque, and not a single person heckled. There were a couple of hecklers inside, they were dealt with,” he said.
The Australian Prime Minister has said “diversity is our strength” merely hours after he was chased out of a mosque in Sydney
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“Contrary to what’s been suggested, no one was rushed out. We just sat there… it was dealt with by the community themselves because overwhelmingly they did not want that to occur.”
And later, Mr Albanese reiterated that sentiment after he took to social media just hours after the ordeal, declaring he was “proud” of the “diversity” in Australia.
“Australia’s diversity is our strength. And I’m proud our team is as diverse as the communities we represent,” he said.
Anthony Albanese said: ‘Australia’s diversity is our strength’
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“Different backgrounds, different perspectives, all making us a better government.
“On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we’re committed to making sure every Australian feels safe and respected.
“No matter what language you speak, or what faith you practise.”
The Lebanese Muslim Association, which operates the mosque, released a statement saying the Australian Prime Minister was welcome at the prayers and that they would “continue to open” their doors.
Lakemba is a traditional Labor Party stronghold, but tensions have risen due to the government’s position on the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
The visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently sparked fury among Australia’s Muslim community, while police had to remove Muslims praying during a protest of the Israeli President at Sydney’s Town Hall.
Your Party MP Zarah Sultana weighed in on the controversy, saying: “Politicians like Keir Starmer and Anthony Albanese have enabled Israel’s genocide in Gaza and materially support US-Israeli war crimes in Iran and Lebanon.
“Then they visit our mosques on days like Eid, expecting smiles, selfies and photo ops. What did they think would happen?”
