Retro: Inaugural Victorian Parliament Ramadan Iftar Dinner 2004
The Victorian Parliament House was the nucleus of the Interfaith Community of Melbourne on the 22nd of October 2004 as it was the proud venue of the inaugural Ramadan Iftar Dinner. The event was once again realized as a result of the tireless efforts of the Australian Intercultural Society.
The Queens Hall of the Parliamentary facilities was honored with the gathering of a vast array of distinguished guests representing all faith groups and communities in Melbourne. The evening was an occasion which drew numerous Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, community leaders, state’s senior officials and academia to a central location to acknowledge the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It served as an invaluable opportunity for non-Muslims to expand on their existing knowledge of Islam, absorbing undistorted information and Muslims to develop their networks.
The co-hosts of the evening, Mr. Murray Thompson MP (Liberal Party) and Mr. George Seitz MP (Labor Party) addressed the impressive gathering, conveying their message of the absolute necessity for like mannered events promoting the integration of multicultural communities via interfaith and cross cultural dialogue. Mr. M. Thompson MP said; “I first met Orhan Cicek at the Abraham Conference in Melbourne earlier this year. The conference was attended by academics, theologians and representatives from a wide range of Melbourne community organisations and faiths including Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and Protestant.
I was impressed with his enthusiasm and commitment to the importance of strengthening dialogue and understanding. Tonight’s Ramadan dinner in the Victorian Parliament is the initiative of Orhan Cicek and the Australian Intercultural Society. I commend them on their work. An English religious leader noted ‘rational reflection and conversation, courage and persistence in the pursuit of ideals, the capacity to get along with others and the carefully cultivated discipline of dialogue and mutual respect for those with whom we may disagree’ are important elements of a civil society. Tonight’s dinner is a reflection of those elements and I thank Orhan and his hard working committee from the Intercultural Society for their commitment to advancing pathways to peace.”
Mr. G. Seitz MP addressed the guests and said “Tonight we are here together with Australian Muslims celebrating their holy month of Ramadan which is considered to be the holiest month of the year. Australian Muslims also contribute to our cultural richness and here we are sitting side by side sharing our meal together.
I must mention that tonight’s gathering would not have been possible without the effort and hard work of Orhan Cicek and the Australian Intercultural Society. I thank Orhan Cicek for taking this serious leadership role along with his young and dynamic crew for creating this wonderful environment.
On behalf of the Victorian Parliament and its members, I congratulate the Muslim community and the wider community for its participation tonight and hope this evening will be one to remember.”
Mr. Orhan Cicek, Program Co-ordinator of Australian Intercultural Society and co-organizer of the Iftar, acknowledged the Victorian Parliament and their honorable Members’ great contributions will enhance understanding and further cooperation amongst the diverse faith/cultural communities. He said:
“Tonight we celebrate and share our bread with you. Sharing bread is a very important symbol for most traditions. I’d like to point out that Mr. Murray Thompson MP and Mr. George Seitz MP have shown bravery in accepting the co-hosting for tonight’s first ever Ramadan Iftar dinner at Parliament of Victoria. On behalf of my community and AIS executives and members I congratulate George and Murray for taking the initiative for this wonderful evening. I’d like to thank Speaker of House Judy Maddigan MP for her support with our preparations and the sponsors who have contributed greatly to make tonight possible.
Tonight’s dinner is a great opportunity for everyone to meet, interact and enhance the ties of relationship. We can work together toward global and local peace. Australia has a strong diverse community and these types of functions and gatherings will enhance understanding and cooperation. Thank you once again for your contribution and support. Tonight we are one step further into the journey of understanding and cooperation.”
The evening, sponsored by the MCCA and the Victorian Multicultural Commission, was a landmark exercise for more reasons than one. The inaugural Iftar dinner at the Queens Hall also witnessed the practicing of several symbolic Islamic rituals. Prior to the breaking of the fast dinner, the Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, was recited, a call that on this particular occasion served as consent for worshippers to break their fast. The evening prayer session then followed with the leadership of prominent Imam Sheikh Fahmi Al-Imam.
During the dinner service, guests were mesmerized by the mystical tunes of the Australian Sufi Music Group. These tunes set the tone for the evening, allowing all to engage in constructive discussions with their friends from differing ethnic and religious backgrounds. Guests left the gathering with new friendships established and joint projects planned for future implementation, for the enrichment of interfaith relations.
The Australian Intercultural Society recognizes the significance of the sharing of Iftar dinners with individuals and groups of non-Muslim backgrounds. To this effect, an Iftar dinner will also be hosted in conjunction with the Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese at the halls of the Australian Catholic University on the 10th of November. The Melbourne interfaith community will once again, God willing, unify on that occasion to further strengthen Muslim and wider community relations.