MELBOURNE, 13 April 2023: The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews address at the ‘Premier’s Iftar Dinner – 2023’, was read out by Hon. Natalie Suleyman, Minister for Minister for Veterans, Minister for Youth, and Minister for Small Business, representing the Premier. The Premier could not be present being unwell.
The Premier minced no words saying the state government embraces you just as you have embraced us, stamping out Islamophobia isn’t something any government can do alone and it’s not something the Muslim community should have to do alone.
It’s a journey that we take together and we are so proud to stand with Victoria’s Muslim communities. The Andrews Labor Government stands with the Muslim communities and that is why we are supporting Victoria’s Islamic schools, mosques, and community groups across Victoria, he said.
He further said Victoria is proudly home to all faiths and cultures and traditions from every corner of the globe and living peacefully is something that we have all achieved together. It’s down to the hard work of people in this room and the communities that you lead, the contributions that you make in your local communities.
The Premier’s speech was welcomed and cheered as he wished ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ to all those present at the Grand Hyatt today evening.
The largely attended event attended by various Muslim communities, community leaders and people of different faiths, was also addressed by The Hon. Colin Brooks MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The MC welcome was done by Azmeena Hussain, Recitation from the Quran by Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammed Abo Omar, Call to prayer by Abdul Al Aziz and Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO.
The Iftar Dinner evening was massively attended by the Muslim community including those from South Asia. A large number of Victorian MPs were also present seen mingling with the attendees. It was truly a multicultural Iftar, true to the traditions of Victoria and Australia.
The Premier’s words – Victoria is proudly home to all faiths and cultures and traditions from every corner of the globe and living peacefully is something that we have all achieved together. It’s down to the hard work of people in this room and the communities that you lead, the contributions that you make in your local communities. They do make a difference for all those efforts. I want to say thank you for the work that you do to make Victoria a better place. Thank you for continuing to spread the message of peace and harmony – resonated across those present.
