For Soaliha Iqbal, Ramadan Nights Lakemba feels like home.
The influential journalist, who is proud of her Pakistani Muslim heritage, has been attending the event with her family for nearly a decade and always feels at home amongst the multicultural vibe.
It’s not uncommon for her to bump into friends and family, and she loves sipping on hot sahlab and watching vendors make some of her favourite foods, including jalebi.
“Muslims from all over travel to Lakemba because it’s such a lovely community,” Ms Iqbal said.
“For many Muslims it is the only event we have like this, where we can mingle and share our culture in a space designed specifically for us.
“It’s quite a beautiful experience and something I think many Muslims really appreciate and look forward to.”
For those that might be attending Ramadan Nights Lakemba for the first time this year, Ms Iqbal has a few tips to enjoying the experience and says Kashmiri Chai is a must-try that is difficult to find outside of the event.
“The quintessential foods to try are jalebi, Kashmiri chai, knafeh, sahlab and murtabak. They are always my favourite!”
Ms Iqbal says being kind and patient to people at the event is key and shares her top tips to being respectful:

• Respect Muslims’ choices to not play music in observance of Ramadan and its spirituality;
• Make an effort to learn about the purpose of Ramadan and engage with what it means;
• Treat the event like you would any other cultural event: respect local customs (in this case Muslim customs) and behave/dress/act accordingly; and
• Avoid bringing your dogs (excluding service dogs). Many Muslims consider it impolite, if not offensive, to bring dogs into places associated with prayer and worship, and food.

Ms Iqbal added that while not all Muslims will share her views, it’s still the most considerate and polite approach for those attending.
Ramadan Nights Lakemba will transform Haldon Street into a bustling food bazaar every Thursday-Sunday from 9 March-8 April, 6pm-3am.
For more details and to plan your trip, visit cb.city/RamadanNights
Ramadan Nights Lakemba has been recognised and funded by the NSW Government.
This event is proudly sponsored by Western Union and SBS and supported by Sydney Water, MySat and Dessert Boxes.
About Ramadan
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture. It commemorates when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
During the month of Ramadan, people of Muslim faith fast during daylight hours, from dawn to sunset.
At the end of each day, Muslims gather for Iftar – the evening meal to break their fast.
About Ramadan Nights Lakemba
Ramadan Nights Lakemba, Sydney’s most popular multicultural event, returns on Saturday 9 March. This spectacular month-long celebration of culture sees Haldon Street transformed into a vibrant global food bazaar every Thursday-Sunday from 6pm-3am.
Each evening, there’s an abundance of local food vendors and stall holders. It’s the ideal place for you and your friends to experience foods from around the world, and for many Muslims to break their fast together.
Ramadan Nights Lakemba 2023 won The RH Dougherty Events and Communications Award for ‘Innovation in special events’, Division C (Population > 70,000 people) at the Local Government Week NSW 2023 Awards.