Muslim peak bodies in NSW and Victoria reject invitations to premiers’ iftar dinners

Chris Minns at Lakemba mosque for Eid al-Fitr in 2023. Two Muslim groups say anger and disappointment in their communities over responses to the suffering of Palestinians has prompted them to reject invitations to premier’s iftar dinners. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/AAP

Two peak Muslim bodies have rejected invitations to premiers’ iftar dinners in New South Wales and Victoria, as members of the community turn against state governments over their response to the war in Gaza.

The Australian National Imams Council (Anic) and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) have told Guardian Australia they will not attend the annual events, with the latter calling for Jacinta Allan’s first iftar as premier to be cancelled altogether.