Deakin University Eid Community Festival 2018
On the 21st of June 2018, Deakin University in partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) hosted the 2018 Eid al-Fitr Community Festival on Deakin University grounds at the Melbourne Burwood Campus.
This program was a one of a kind event that again demonstrated the championing of diversity, multiculturalism and inclusiveness by Deakin University. There were various stalls ranging from face painting, Ebru Marbling art, face painting, food stalls and much more for guests to enjoy on the night.
The evening was opened by the Sirius College choir who performed the song ‘This is me’ in celebration of post-Ramadan festivities. Following the performance, the MC Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh gave the official welcome to guests and introduced what eid was and its significance for the Muslim community.
Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University Professor Jane den Hollander AO officially welcomed guests and spoke about the University’s broad diversity and how celebrating the festival of Eid was a natural thing to do. She reiterated the great relationship that Deakin University & the AIS have continued to enjoy for many years.
Following the Vice-Chancellor’s welcome, the Anatolian Sufi Music Group and Mevlevi Sufi Group performed live sufi music and a whirling dervish performance that added a spiritual feel to the night in commemorating Eid. Following the Sufi performance, Muslim Rapper Hesh Hibble from the Brothahood was on stage to provide a stirring and engaging performance to enjoy and make the most of the night with Islamic rap with tracks O.N.E. The Sirius College performers one again came on stage to perform Turkish folk dancing, the halay and a Turkish region mix of dancing for guests to enjoy. Sirius College student Dilleen Barwary came on stage to then perform the song ‘Semmame’ which got the crowd going in excitement.
The night came to an end with remarks from the Executive Director of the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) Nail Aykan who thanked guests, stall holders and organisers as well as a vote of thanks by the Executive Director of the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) Ahmet Keskin, who presented a gift of appreciation to Vice-Chancellor den Hollander for her vision on running such a wonderful initiative in the Eid Festival on behalf of the AIS & ICV.
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