Bill Shorten incites Muslims to stand against "sectarian idiots" and "bigots" this is a copy of the article in the Sydney Morning Herald

Thousands in Lakemba celebrate Muslim festival of sacrifice and feasting

Date: October 4, 2014

Georgina Mitchell

Prayers at Lakemba Mosque during Eid al-Adha at Paul Keating Park in Bankstown.

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Eid al-Adha, in Lakemba and Bankstown

Prayers in Lakemba and Bankstown during Eid al-Adha in Sydney. Eid al-Adha, also known as 'Festival of the Sacrifice' is a Muslim holiday that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim for his willingness to sacrifice his own son at the order of Allah. Photos by Michele Mossop Photo: Michele Mossop

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Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has told Australian Muslims to stand up against 'bigots' and called on politicians to show caution before denouncing the cultures of others.

Mr Shorten joined Premier Mike Baird and federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison at celebrations and prayers to mark the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha in Lakemba on Saturday morning.

The devout started arriving before sunrise to get a good position for morning prayers, which began at 7am. People packed the blocked-off road outside Lakemba mosque, some crowding onto the footpath or using front nature strips.

Once the prayer for the festival of sacrifice and feasting was complete, the crowd gathered to listen to Mr Baird, Mr Morrison and Mr Shorten, who addressed the the effect of recent world events on the Islamic community.

"Friends, let's be honest, over the past few days and months it has been a difficult time," Mr Baird said.

Mr Shorten agreed, acknowledging the community may have faced intolerance, and called on those who had gathered to stand up against "sectarian idiots" and "bigots". He called on politicians to be cautious about how their actions could damage other cultures, in a veiled reference to efforts by federal politicians to ban Muslim head coverings in Parliament House.

Afterwards, in response to Tony Abbott's concerns that moves to ban head coverings were damaging to "Team Australia", Mr Shorten told reporters: "I'm more concerned about Team Idiot - that is, parliamentarians who should know better."

In his remarks, Immigration Scott Morrison reminded those gathered to keep in their thoughts Australian Defence Force personnel providing aerial support overseas to combat militants from the so-called Islamic State.

Though there were no security issues during the celebration, security guards had been on shift outside the mosque since 10pm on Friday.

Mohamed Zreika, 46, from Granville has provided security for the prayer meeting for almost two decades and said crowds had increased every year.

"This is a Muslim multi-culture day, like a celebration day," Mr Zreika said. "We're all brothers: Christians, Muslims, Hindu, everyone."

He said that although high-profile terrorist suspects such as Mohamed Elomar had come from Sydney's west, they did not represent the Muslim community.

"Those guys from here who went overseas, we don't believe in that," he said.

"I don't want everyone to get the wrong idea about the Muslim community; we wish all the best for everyone and we like everyone to live in peace.

"What they're doing overseas – Islam will never ever be like that. It's against our religion and against our beliefs, and what they say in the Koran and what the prophet Muhammad says."

More than 20,000 people packed the streets of Lakemba on Saturday for the festivities. Many were also excited for about the impending NRL grand final. Families arrived in cars bearing Canterbury Bulldogs flags and streamers, calling out Arabic greetings and kissing each others' cheeks, as community leaders offered pistachio sweets.