SPEECH: Iftar Dinner & Positive Peace Workshop

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are gathered this evening.

In doing so, I pass my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I would also like to extend that respect to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here, one of the worlds oldest living cultures.

Good evening everyone and a special thank you to the hosts of this event; Mr Ahmet Polat, Mr Mehmet Koca, Mr Hasan Dagli, Ms Ceylan Karatas and the Amity College Community.

I would also like to acknowledge the Mayor of Liverpool, Ned Mannoun, my Parliamentary Colleges, Prue Car, Paul Lynch, and Julia Finn.

I also would like to acknowledge our key note speaker, Dr Stuart Rees AM, who is the founder of the Sydney Peace Foundation and Emeritus Professor of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.

After two long years of the pandemic, it is my pleasure to be with you all here this evening for this Iftar Dinner.

Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, I have had the privilege of Attending a number of Iftar dinners, and I have to say, I am always given a warm welcome – of course this event is no different.

At each of these events I have spoken about a universal theme – serving our community.

Or as I said at the Premier’s Iftar Dinner, the noble pursuit of putting the needs of others ahead of our own.

Values that, no matter who we are or what language we speak, are what we all hold in high regard.

In fact, they are qualities that are vey much a part of what makes us Australian.

When people are down, irrespective of who they are, we want to make sure they are ok and extend a helping hand.

I understand, that these are values that are part of Ramadan and values that the Muslim community hold very dear.

Many community and spiritual leaders have led the way in helping their fellow Australians during times of adversity.

Whether it be during the devastating bushfires, the global pandemic, or the unprecedented floods.

No matter what adversity we are facing, your selflessness and compassion has helped make NSW the great place it is today.

Again, this is a quality of our community that speaks volumes of you and how much you want what is best for others.

Here in this very room I am speaking to leaders. Not just the future leaders but current leaders.

Leaders that I know ill go out into the world and seek to make it a better place, and I am not just talking about those that carry the mantle of School, Vice or Sport Captain.

You don’t need a tile to be a leader.

You are a leader when you realise the extraordinary impact you as an individual can have on those around you.

You are a leader when you out to put the service of others ahead of yourself.

I have no doubt that I will see many of you working hard to make NSW an even better place in the near future. Something that I look forward to seeing, for that is ultimately what we are all here for – to leave things better than the way they were.

We do this so that when the next generation comes along, they can again raise the bar higher.

It is truly a special time of year and an important way for us all to come together and recognise that while we are all different, there is a great deal more that connects us.

To Those celebrating Ramadan, I wish you peace and a blessed month.

Ramadan Mubarak.