Ramadan

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-105597

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Ramadan

Mr JIHAD DIB (Lakemba) (15:32:16):Koran

I am getting déjà vu, because I spoke about Ramadan in a private member's statement only a couple of days ago. It is my pleasure to introduce Ramadan once again as a matter of public importance. I had a bit of a joke earlier with the member for North Shore about the pies that were being served—we were hoping that I might be able to get some. I do not know whose idea it was to bring in the pie van during Ramadan but it was pretty cruel! It is almost as cruel as the member for Gosford offering me some water the other day—although she was trying to be nice. I am sorry; dad jokes do not work at this time of the day. I acknowledge that I spoke about this issue on Tuesday but I could not fit in everything then. I acknowledge also that members on both sides of the House attend community iftars. The main element of Ramadan is that it is a holy time for people of Muslim faith and the month when the Holy Scripture—the —was revealed.

I will outline some of the basics about Ramadan. At present Muslims in Australia are fasting from about 5.00 a.m. to about 5.00 p.m.—basically from sunrise to sunset. Generally people get up, if they can, at about 4.30 a.m. to have a quick meal—effectively an early breakfast—and then try to go back to sleep. This is called "sahoor". Fasting during the day means no food and no drink and then in the evening there is iftar. This is when the fast is broken and you can eat or drink anything that would normally be permissible. I often see a number of my colleagues in this place at different iftars across the community. I acknowledge the importance of iftar. As I said the other day, it has moved beyond the idea of something that is only for the Muslim community. One of the nicest features is the number of community groups that hold iftars and bring people together. I think that is really special. The other day I attended an iftar with my colleague the member for Fairfield, who I think will also speak on this matter, the member for Holsworthy and some other Government members, such as the member for Oatley. I think that is important.

When I talk about community groups, it is about how we can bring people together. The most important thing is to get to know each other and to spend some time together. Sharing a meal is really important. I also talk about a time I am really proud of. Back in the day when I used to be a school principal we had community dinners. We were very proud to be the first school to organise community dinners. The story goes that I was walking with a kid to the station after school. During Ramadan you start to get a little hungry and excited by three o'clock in the afternoon, and I said to him, "What are you eating tonight for iftar?" He replied, "We're having chicken." I said, "I love chicken." The young man said to me, "We have chicken every day." I thought he was having chicken as a treat but he said, "It's just me and mum. It's only ever me and mum having iftar together."

I had been telling him about how nice it was to have iftar with my family and community. At that moment I felt for that kid. I thought, "We have to do better than this. Let's have a school community dinner. We will do it for families who cannot break their fast with other families." But we went further than that. We did not want it to be just for the Muslim kids; this was part of building a school community. We ensured that all other kids came along with their families. The deal was the kids would come along and bring the food they would eat with their family. We got some donations also and all sorts of people attended.

What I love the most—and will never forget—is that teachers served the families that night. We served the community and we served the kids. The kids who loved it the most were those who had nowhere else to go and those who had been ex-students. Bringing people together is special. Today when I attend many school iftar dinners I think proudly for a little moment, "This thing started from that kid who was having chicken because he had nowhere else to go." Eventually we brought families and community groups together. It was not about the Muslim community; it was about every person in our school community. The funniest story is that one of the kids was suspended at the time. He got a message to me asking, "Sir, can I still come to the iftar dinner?" I thought, "Of course, he can." That is what the school community is about. For me, Ramadan is about bringing people of all faiths and communities together.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (15:27:14):

As we heard from the member for Lakemba, this is the holy month of Ramadan when there is fasting during the day and feasting at night. I think the Bayside City Council is doing something this year for the second or third time at Rockdale. But at Lakemba, one of Sydney's most multicultural suburbs, vendors line the roads. If any members in this Chamber or people watching this debate have never been there, I suggest they visit Lakemba tonight to see it firsthand. It is not just Arabic food but food from the Bangladeshi community as well. In the past two weeks I have been there twice or three times. Street food from all over the world sums up the Ramadan night markets. Hundreds of visitors from New South Wales and overseas flock there every night. In some regards, it will be bigger than Vivid this weekend. It is huge.

Mr Jihad Dib:

You're not moving to Lakemba, are you, Mark?

Mr MARK COURE:

I am the shadow member for Lakemba. Many visitors flock there each night to explore the variety of food and learn more about different cultures. Many people are observing Ramadan this month and it is the focus of much conversation in the media, particularly on SBS. I have observed that when a community group issues the invitation, as the member for Lakemba said, it is for literally everyone—not just the Islamic community but the entire Sydney community. Those who are observing Ramadan could have kept Ramadan to themselves, but the invitation is for all of us to share. The breaking of the fast is a deeply giving act.

I have attended a number of iftar dinners this week and throughout my eight years in this place. There is no greater representation of cultural diversity than what you see in Lakemba. I acknowledge my friends in the Arabic community and the Bangladeshi community, particularly Councillor Mohammad Zaman Titu, who is a wonderful leader in the Bangladeshi community. He serves on Canterbury Bankstown council and has invited not just me but a number of Government members to Lakemba many times during Ramadan. I wish everyone, not just in Lakemba and throughout my electorate but also across the world, a very happy and holy month of Ramadan.

Ms JULIA FINN (Granville) (15:30:43):

As-salamu Alaykum.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Wa alaykumu as-salam.

Ms JULIA FINN:

Thank you. Ramadan is a traditional month of fasting, prayer, personal reflection, good deeds and giving to charity. People focus on the fasting aspect and on the wider community coming together for an iftar dinner. That has been an absolute delight throughout the entire Ramadan month. Focusing on becoming a better person and supporting those struggling in the community are also key aspects of the holy month. A few weeks ago I held my own iftar dinner that was attended by about 120 people from across my community—mainly Muslims but also Christian, Jewish and Hindu friends. It was a lovely dinner at a local Syrian restaurant in Merrylands. I was delighted to repay the hospitality that I have enjoyed on so many occasions.

This year many groups have invited me to iftar dinners. I am thankful for the invitations from a wide range of organisations such as the Gallipoli mosque, the Turkish consulate, Affinity, Islamic Charity Projects Association, the Australian Malayalee Islamic Association, the Australian Jordanian Community Association, Parramatta Mosque, Granville South High School, Canterbury Bankstown council, Guildford Mosque, fashion designer Anjilla Seddeqi, the Premier, Granville Public School, the Lebanese Muslim Association, the Grand Mufti of Australia, El-Dunnieh Sons Charity Association, Lurnea High School, Merrylands High School and Auburn Girls High School.

At the end of Ramadan, when we celebrate Eid, Granville Boys High School has its enormous iftar dinner, which is attended by more than 1,000 people. It is a fantastic evening. I also congratulate Cumberland Council on holding Ramadan street markets for the first time. Based very much on what happens in Lakemba, about 20,000 people came together in Auburn on election night. Some people who were watching television did not make it. I found it far more celebratory on the street in Auburn! It was wonderful and I am really glad it was a success. I am only disappointed the council chose to hold it in Auburn rather than in Granville, but I hope it becomes a tradition in years to come—and not just for one night but perhaps throughout the entire holy month of Ramadan. I congratulate all my friends who have been fasting on their determination and on their journey. I wish them the best. To all my friends who have been participating in Ramadan activities, Ramadan Mubarak. Next week, it will be Eid Mubarak.

Mr JUSTIN CLANCY (Albury) (15:34:02

): By leave: I thank the member for Lakemba for bringing the holy month of Ramadan to the attention of the House as a matter of public importance. I listened with great interest to the comments on what Ramadan means to members who preceded me in this discussion. In addition to being a period of fasting, sacrifice, dedication and reflection, Ramadan engenders a feeling of bringing people together and that resonates very strongly with me. When Muslims break their fast, communities of all types of faith are drawn together in celebration.

I thank the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga for inviting me to join when breaking their fast this week at iftar. The themes I took away from that celebration were generosity and hospitality of the Islamic community. Muslims rarely cause their generosity to be publicly known. For example, each year under the auspices of Carevan Albury the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga contributes fresh meat to needy and homeless people—a wonderful gesture that reflects the generosity of Muslim people. At the iftar dinner, their hospitality also was on display. The member for Oatley and the member for Lakemba referred to the various cultures that come together and contribute a vast array of food from many different parts of the world.

At the recent iftar dinner I attended, I gained the impression that iftar is very much about the community. Men, women and children were celebrating together and included people of other faiths. For example, representatives from the Church of England joined in the celebration. Ramadan 2019 is a wonderful time for the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga because this year the society intends to build a new mosque. A very special element in this year's celebration is that we look forward to seeing plans for the new mosque develop over the next eight to 12 months. I look forward to celebrating the opening of the new mosque with members of the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga. I acknowledge the importance of Ramadan. I thank my friends at the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga for their generosity. I look forward to celebrating with them again.

Mr GUY ZANGARI (Fairfield) (15:36:49

): By leave: I thank members for granting me an indulgence and enabling me to participate in the discussion of the matter of public importance, which has been brought to the attention of the House by the member for Lakemba. Ramadan 2019 is a great occasion not only for Islamic communities right across the world, particularly Islamic communities in New South Wales, but also for all communities. Ramadan is an occasion that brings people together. Ramadan is a period of prayer, fasting and giving of alms. For Muslims it is also an opportunity to spread the message of goodwill. The key messages conveyed by the iftar dinners I attended are that we should sit down with our neighbours, talk to them and spread the message of goodwill.

A common theme of the iftar dinners I attended in western Sydney and in Parliament House is that the New South Wales community is united. We are one community in the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity. More importantly, another theme I noticed among the iftar dinners was the denunciation of violent extremism that occurs throughout the world. We must all stand united against violent extremism. Ramadan is an opportunity for all people to get together. I must mention that my Labor colleagues and Government members have been able to put aside our political differences, enjoy each other's company and, more importantly, support communities that are doing the hard yards to create social cohesion and harmony right throughout the community.

I offer special thanks to the Australian National Imams Council in Chullora, especially the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, for his kind invitation to the iftar dinner last week in Chullora. I thank also the Lebanese Muslim Association and a very dear friend of every member of this House, Samier Dandan, for their iftar dinner I attended in Lakemba. I thank the Affinity Intercultural Foundation and Ahmet Polat, who is a cousin to everybody, for the Friendship Dialogue and iftar dinner at Parliament House, which is always a highlight during Ramadan. I offer thanks also to our friends at the Islamic Council Charity Projects Association whose iftar dinner at Liverpool is always outstanding. It was great to notice the student volunteers providing the food for the iftar dinner and catering so well. I thank the Rahma Association, which is based in the Rahma Mosque Guildford, for inviting me to speak after evening prayers at the association's gathering. I was pleased to affirm that we are united and want to work towards peace in our communities. To the member for Lakemba, Mr Jihad Dib, I say Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family.

Ms JODI McKAY (Strathfield) (15:39:55

): By leave: Before I begin, I too say Ramadan Mubarak to all who are practising Ramadan this month. I am delighted to contribute to discussion on this matter of public importance, which recognises the importance and significance of Ramadan for the Australian Muslim community in New South Wales. I congratulate and thank the member for Lakemba for drawing Ramadan to the attention of the House. The member for Lakemba is a wonderful champion and advocate for multicultural communities in New South Wales. I have seen him a number of times at various iftar dinners this month. I suggest he has eaten out at iftar dinners more than any other member of this Parliament.

During this holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims around the world observe Ramadan by abstaining from eating or drinking between the hours of sunrise and sunset. While fasting is a well-known aspect of Ramadan, for the information of those of us who are not Muslim I mention that Ramadan also is a time for introspection, reflection and families and friends coming together. That is what I most admire about Ramadan. Once the sun has set for the day, families, friends and communities come together to break their fast at dinners known as an iftar. This coming together as a community to share a meal is one of the things I love most about Ramadan.

My electorate of Strathfield is one of the most multicultural electorates in Sydney. It is also a multi-faith community, which is something I always celebrate. Over the past month, what I have admired most about the school community and my electorate is that they have hosted iftar dinners. I saw the member for Lakemba at one of those dinners, not only as a shadow Minister but also as a father of a student at the Burwood Girls High School. I attended an iftar dinner at the Homebush Boys High School where I heard a young man, Ibrahim Taha, speak so generously about his experiences as a young Muslim man. It inspires me greatly when people such as Ibrahim speak in front of their school community about what is most important to them.

I attended also an iftar dinner at the Strathfield South High School—that makes three high schools in my electorate I attended—and that also was a coming together of the community, students, parents, teachers and community leaders. It is by celebrating this religious observance that we are reminded of the example of the strength of our multicultural and multi-faith communities in New South Wales. To all Muslims who are observing Ramadan at this time surrounded by family and friends I say Ramadan Mubarak.

Mr JIHAD DIB (Lakemba) (16:43:03

): In reply: I thank all members who contributed to the discussion. The member for Oatley and I share an electoral border and we often spend a lot of time together at various community events. The member for Oatley referred to the cultural diversity of his electorate and his involvement in that. The member for Granville highlighted the hospitality associated with Ramadan and mentioned that she hosted an iftar dinner at a local community centre for the people in her community to come together and celebrate. I thought it was really lovely to hear from the member for Albury about the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga. Hopefully one day I will be able to visit Albury and join members of the Islamic community in Friday prayer.

The member for Fairfield, whose electorate also shares a border with my electorate, referred to the overriding theme of the community coming together as family. It is true that the member for Strathfield's electorate and mine are geographically close. As local members of Parliament, the member for Strathfield and I have attended a couple of iftar dinners at various school events. At one iftar event I attended, which the member for Strathfield also attended, I was acknowledged but had to say that I was actually there as a dad—which was really embarrassing for my daughter. If she had not invited me, I would have gone anyway in my official capacity.

Students at that particular school in Burwood and at Punchbowl Boys High School collected money together and made a donation to Human Appeal Australia to build water wells. We heard today about the drinking water issues and water restrictions in New South Wales, but in some countries kids, families and communities cannot access drinking water. I was impressed that these schoolkids raised money for something so important and were willing to give to that cause. It was exceptional.

I thank all members who contributed. The member for Strathfield and member for Fairfield both mentioned that we go to a lot of iftars. I just did a quick calculation—today is the twenty-fifth day of Ramadan and I have been to 16 iftars. I was in Parliament for six days and was not able attend an iftar on those days, but I have had three iftars at home. I look forward to having a couple more iftars at home.

Ramadan is a special thing. I say from my heart that it is lovely when people who are not fasting wish me all the best or when my colleagues from all sides of the House and I have a great time together. Anything that brings us together is important. One of the themes of Australia is that we are better when we are together, when we know each other, when we share each other's celebrations and when we respect each other. That is what makes Australia the greatest country on earth. There is less than an hour to go before those who are fasting will be able to drink some water. Tonight I will be breaking my fast with a meat pie and a cup of soup. Ramadan Kareem. Eid Mubarak.