Bangladeshi Leadership Shines as Sydney Hosts Liberal Party’s Largest Muslim Gathering

Sydney witnessed one of the Liberal Party’s most significant multicultural political events as hundreds gathered for the 6th Annual Liberal Party Iftar Dinner, an occasion shaped prominently by Bangladeshi‑Australian leadership. The event underscored the growing visibility and influence of Bangladeshi migrants in Australia’s mainstream political landscape now stronger than ever.

Held on 26 February at the prestigious Lemontage Event Centre, the evening brought together faith, culture and politics in a way that reflected Australia’s evolving multicultural identity. Qur’an recitation, the call to prayer and a communal iftar unfolded before an audience that included 54 senior Liberal Party figures, among them the incoming NSW Premier.

The driving force behind the gathering was Mohammad Zaman, President of the Liberal Party’s Lakemba Branch and the Bankstown SEC. What began in 2021 as a modest community initiative has now grown into the largest and most influential Muslim event within the NSW Liberal Party, bridging the gap between Muslim Australians and national political leadership.

The room was filled with federal senators, MPs, MLCs, mayors, councillors, prominent doctors, community leaders, journalists and respected elders a turnout that reflected the party’s confidence in Zaman’s leadership and the Bangladeshi community’s expanding role in NSW politics.

Zaman, a former councillor for the City of Canterbury‑Bankstown and a former federal candidate for the seat of Watson, has long been a key figure in advancing the political participation of Bangladeshi‑Australians. Under his leadership, the Lakemba branch has become the only Liberal branch in Australia where Bangladeshi community members hold central leadership positions.

Speaking at the event, Zaman said, “Hosting this every year is a matter of pride. Our goal is not just to organise an iftar it is to highlight the contributions of Muslim Australians, especially Bangladeshis, within the nation’s mainstream. This platform ensures our community’s voice reaches the highest levels.”

More than a religious or social gathering, the iftar stood as a symbol of multicultural strength and political inclusion, showcasing how the Bangladeshi community’s growing engagement is reshaping the political fabric of New South Wales.