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 neighbors 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. If ever there was a need for communities to come together and break bread, I would say this year is more [important] than ever.

Recent statistics reveal a troubling increase in Islamophobic incidents throughout Australia, with an average of 18 incidents occurring weekly, significantly up from previous years. The escalation has been partly attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has heightened anxieties within the Muslim community as well as the broader public. As Muslims celebrated Eid, the contrast between joy and fear was palpable, underlining the urgent need for solidarity in an increasingly divided society.