More than 300 residents in Western Sydney have signed a petition to scale back the annual Ramadan Night Markets, highlighting a divide in the community known for hosting the popular annual festival.
More than 1.4 million people flocked to Haldon Street in Lakemba for the Ramadan Night Markets in March and April last year to enjoy more than 70 food stalls offering traditional desserts and snacks to celebrate the breaking of fasting, or ifṭār, during the Islamic Holy Month.
Many locals have told 9News they love the event, but hundreds of others have called for a scaled-back version, complaining to the local council about noise, rubbish and road closures that come with the markets.
Rasha Almaanawe from local business King of Sweets said the council "needs to look after the people" living in Lakemba while the festival is on.
Other locals told 9News that the festival causes parking issues as people flock to the area for the markets.
"Obviously, the parking is very hard, if they can do something more about the parking hopefully they can reduce issues," Al Fayhaad Bakery owner Samir Daher told 9News.
"There's is a bit of an issue for residents with the noise, teenagers going up and down and all that."
But despite some teething issues, residents told 9News that they didn't mind the crowds of people coming to celebrate Ramadan with them.
"The festival brings a beautiful atmosphere it brings a lot of people from all over, it's a beautiful vibe," Daher said.
"I don't think you can beat this Ramadan festival, it's just beautiful."
Another local told 9News they enjoyed the markets every year.
"There's never been a problem, not that I've seen," Simon Kenney-Lewis said.
"I've been for Ramadan here four times, lots of great food, it's peaceful, no one's getting drunk or anything."
"As long as they are enjoying the festival, it's so people can see the blessing of Ramadan," another resident, Ali told 9News.
"It's a cultural thing, everyone wants to see what's going on, it's a good thing."
The Canterbury-Bankstown council has responded to concerns and said they would be "trialling new road closures" to limit traffic on the busiest nights of the food festival.
It said it also considered moving the festival away from Lakemba, however residents were vocal about wanting to keep it in the area.
The council also said it would scale back promotion of the event, and will try to move stalls away from residential areas.
David Broger from Business Western Sydney said additional funding would help the council navigate the event.
"The council does need some financial support for them to manage what is now a major festival in Sydney."
"When in Lakemba, you've gotta put up with these things, that's the nature and character of the area."
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, which is broken at the end of the day with a prayer and a meal.
The Holy Month ends with the celebration of Eid.
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2024-01-04 06:01:59Z
CBMikgFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvY291bmNpbC10by1hbHRlci1wb3B1bGFyLXJhbWFkYW4tbmlnaHQtbWFya2V0cy1hZnRlci1yZXNpZGVudGlhbC1jb21wbGFpbnRzLzAzOTZkODVjLWViN2UtNDk2OS1iMjI5LWNkMzA5OGQxM2Y0MtIBRWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLjluZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzAzOTZkODVjLWViN2UtNDk2OS1iMjI5LWNkMzA5OGQxM2Y0Mg
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