Bilal Hamze’s Lakemba funeral sees high police presence amid gang war

Gangland boss Bilal Hamze has been farewelled by family, friends and associates in a prayer service closely watched by police.

Gangland boss Bilal Hamze has been farewelled by family, friends and associates in a prayer service closely watched by police.

Hamze‘s body was carried into Lakemba Mosque inside a green coffin surrounded by a large contingent of male mourners at the front, and grieving women closely behind.

The 34-year-old’s farewell came six days after he was gunned down in an execution-style shooting on Bridge Street in the CBD about 10.25pm last Thursday.

A heavy NSW Police presence patrolled Lakemba Mosque for about four hours in the lead up to the 11am service.

The body of Bilal Hamze is carried from the funeral home to the Lakemba Mosque by family and friends. Picture John Grainger

Gunned down.... Bilal Hamze.

Hamze’s body is carried inside Lakemba Mosque. Picture: John Grainger

With tensions between the warring Hamze and Alameddine crime networks at an all time high, officers from Campsie Area Command and Raptor Squad drove up and down Wangee Road patrolling as mourners arrived.

Those in attendance largely wore sports tracksuits or religious gowns, with many opting to wear masks and hooded jumpers to conceal their identities.

Hamze had a bounty believed to be worth close to $1 million on his head for months before his eventual murder.

Hundreds of mourners attended the burial of Bilal Hamze’s body at Rookwood Cemetery. Picture: John Grainger

Family arrive at the funeral parlour behind the Lebanese Muslim Association Picture: John Grainger

Police had warned him his rivals had him down as a marked man, but still he largely went about his normal life until shortly after his final meal at the Japanese restaurant Kid Kyoto.

In the lead up to the service Ahmed Elomar, the brother of former ISIS fighter Mohammed Elomar, was seen walking into a gym located next to the mosque.

At one point he muttered a series of words to the media contingent covering Bilal Hamze‘s funeral.

There was a strong police presence at today’s funeral. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Ahmed Elomar walks into a gym next to the mosque, but did not attend the funeral

Picture: NCA NewsWire

Lakemba Mosque was placed under a strong police presence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Lakemba Mosque is the same location where Bilal‘s cousin Mejid was farewelled after his own drive-by execution last October.

Mejid‘s murder was the first of the gang war between the Hamze and Alameddine crime networks.

Like his cousin, at the completion of Wednesday‘s service Bilal will be buried at Rookwood Cemetery.