Anthony Albanese claims hecklers at Lakemba mosque unhappy Labor outlawed ‘extremist organisations’ | Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese claimed he was heckled at one of Australia’s largest mosques by people unhappy with his government’s ban on “extremist organisations” such as Hizb ut Tahrir, but failed to produce any evidence to support his claim.

The prime minister and home affairs minister Tony Burke were at the Lakemba mosque in Sydney’s west on Friday morning ahead of end-of-Ramadan celebrations, one of the holiest dates in the Islamic faith.

Albanese was sitting outside the mosque listening to Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, read a statement describing Australia’s involvement in the Middle East war and its impact on the Muslim community as some worshipers began protesting his and Burke’s involvement.

Some were heard shouting phrases such as “disgrace”, “shame” and “genocide supporters”. A man who booed Albanese was escorted out by police. He was released without charge after being given follow-up orders.

Albanese hurriedly emerged from the large crowd waiting for him on the steps of the mosque.

At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Albanese said there were 30,000 people in Lakemba and his visit had been received “overwhelmingly… incredibly positively”.

“There were a few crooks in there, they were dealt with,” he said. “Contrary to what was suggested, no one was rushed out, we sat there and it was dealt with. The community itself dealt with it because overwhelmingly they didn’t want it to happen.”

“I thank them for the extraordinarily warm welcome. Yes, a few people were pressuring us, some people don’t like that we outlawed extremist organizations like Hizb ut Tahrir, and that brought a backlash from a few people.”

Guardian Australia’s analysis of videos taken during the hacking found no reference to the group. The Prime Ministry was contacted to get an opinion on the issue.

The Lebanese Muslim Association defended the decision to host Albanians at the mosque, saying the prime minister’s attendance was not a “betrayal” of his stance on Gaza and Lebanon.

“We are aware of the reaction to the Prime Minister’s participation and understand that emotions are high, especially given the ongoing suffering in Gaza and the devastation in Lebanon,” the statement said. “These are not distant issues for our community. They are deeply personal and shape how many people are feeling right now.

“But we also need to be clear. Choosing to engage with this country’s elected leaders is not a betrayal of those concerns. It is how we give them a voice. Stepping away from engagement has neither advanced our community nor changed outcomes abroad. It has not reduced Islamophobia here nor strengthened our ability to influence decisions that affect us.”

“When leaders enter our mosque, they do so in the presence of a community that is knowledgeable, engaged, and unafraid to speak out. We do not open our doors to appearances. We do this because real conversations require access, and our community deserves to be heard directly, not spoken to from a distance.”

The association wrote that its “position on Gaza and Lebanon is clear and unchanged.”

“We continue to stand with those who are suffering, call for justice, advocate for an end to violence and the protection of innocent lives,” the statement said. “Interacting with the government does not weaken that position. It strengthens our ability to express it where it matters most.”

It came as Israel launched air and artillery strikes into Lebanon and continued its ground offensive against Hezbollah. According to the Lebanese health ministry, Israel’s attack on Lebanon killed at least 912 people, including 111 children, injured 2,221 and displaced more than 1 million people.

The federal government last week announced it would send a special surveillance plane and a stockpile of air-to-air missiles to the UAE to protect Australians in the Gulf state targeted by Tehran in retaliation for US and Israeli bombing of Iran.

Nearly a year ago Burke was forced to abandon a Muslim prayer event in Lakemba, part of the Watson electorate, due to security concerns after protesters turned up with the intention of telling the local MP he was “not welcome”.

Protesters planned to heckle and “interrupt” Burke as he addressed congregation at Ramadan prayers in Lakemba on March 21 last year. However, before the prayer was completed, he left the place without addressing the congregation.

Bilal Rauf, lawyer and senior counsel for the National Imams Council of Australia, said many people were distressed and disappointed by the government’s attitude towards the community.

He cited Albanese’s decision to invite Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia after the Bondi terror attack and the police’s response to Muslim men praying during a protest over Herzog’s visit.

“A lot of people in our society are connected to what’s going on around the world, and they’re suffering. They’re seeing family members killed. They’re seeing family homes burned,” he said.