Magical Ramadan Nights Lakemba spices up Haldon St in south west Sydney
If you haven’t experienced it, you should give it a try, because the Ramadan Nights Lakemba at Haldon St is certainly one of a kind.
- Camel burgers prove an exotic favourite
- Making our roads safer for walkers, cyclists
- Padstow's high rise opposed
If you haven’t experienced it, you should give it a try, because the Ramadan Nights Lakemba at Haldon St is one of a kind.
Opened throughout the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the festival draws thousands of people from across NSW, all attracted to the heady smells, tastes and sights of foods from all over the world.
Muslims mark the end of fasting each day with Iftar, which can be enjoyed by anyone.
The festival — which ends on June 5 — is opened daily from 5pm-3am and features a guided walking tour (tickets needed) on weekends, which is excellent for those keen on making the most of this unique event.
Taste Cultural Food Tours chief executive Lesley Unsworth calls the Ramadan Nights ‘vibrant, exciting and welcoming.’
“It’s a feast for the senses,” Ms Unsworth said.
“The food on offer for Iftar and through the night is not seen or found easily in cafes in Sydney.
“On your own you may feel nervous or overwhelmed by the crowds and you might miss the best food because it’s foreign to you, so I encourage visitors to book a tour.
Mouth-watering dishes include Murtabak (stuffed pancake), Syrian ice-cream, Mahalabia (milk dessert), Sahlab (pudding drink) and Haleem (stew).
“I enjoy being part of this important event, sharing food with my fellow Australians, and learning about their faith and stories,” Ms Unsworth said.
The hour-long Saturday tours cost $40 per person and introduce visitors to the event, and include up to six tastings. Sunday tours run for two and a half hours and range in cost from $49-89.
They delve deeper into Ramadan, Iftar and Muslim life, and include up to 10 tastings.
Ramadan Nights Lakemba is on every night until Thursday 6 June, with road closures on Saturday 11, 18 and 25 May and Saturday 1 June. A park and ride service is also available.
Mayor Khal Asfour said the night festival has plenty of food stalls and entertainment.
“There will be food vendors cooking up a storm on the footpaths, roving entertainment, an opportunity to take a photo with a camel and much, much more,” Mayor Asfour said.
IN OTHER NEWS
“Everyone knows that Lakemba is the place to be to celebrate and experience Ramadan.
“Last year alone, we attracted more than 350,000 visitors and we’re expecting the same, if not more, this year.”
Road closures around Lakemba are proposed on Saturdays 11, 18 and 25 in May and Saturday June 1. There will also be a park and ride options for visitors, according to the council.
■ Details: cb.city/ramadan
Sydney’s busiest hospitals boosted with 100+ frontline workers
More than 100 new junior doctors and paramedics will join one of Sydney’s busiest hospital networks and fastest growing regions. Here’s the latest.
Whopping amount Sydney councils are spending on ‘staff travel’
Seminars focused on climate change and the benefits of cycling were among overseas visits taken by council employees last financial year as Sydney councils racked up a combined travel cost bill of more than $7 million.