In the evening of Thursday, 22 April 2021, Al Siraat hosted the Interfaith Ramadhan Dinner in celebration of Whittlesea Interfaith Network’s Fifteen Years of Interfaith Engagement. This year the theme for the event was _The Month of Gratitude.
Whittlesea Interfaith Network has a long and proud history of developing platforms for Interfaith dialogue in the City of Whittlesea. Our members are made up of the many religions represented in the region and we welcome new members from all faiths to participate in our programs that encourage greater social cohesion and harmony.
First founded by former mayor Kris Pavlidis, WIN exists to acknowledge and promote faith as a community valu. To provide the opportunity for Interfaith dialogue and to promote peace, understanding and harmony across faith and cultures.
The Interfaith Ramadhan Dinner was a wonderful opportunity for members from our local community groups and organisations to reconnect.
Respected guests from St Monica’s College attended, including coordinators Clare Turner, Denis Zucchett and Jessie as well as student leaders. Al Siraat and St Monica’s share a long and proud history of interfaith collaboration and friendship.
Noori Ahmed, coordinator for Student Interfaith Leadership, was pivotal in coordinating all the background work for this event and continues to be a strong advocate for interfaith engagement for young people.
The masters of ceremony on the evening were College Captains Layla Rashid and Humza Ghouse.
Mufti Aasim Rashid gave a talk before the sunset prayer (maghreb) and breaking of the fast (iftar) on “Ramadhan – the Month of Gratitude”. The event began with a beautiful Qur’an recitation by Hifz student Farhaj Faheem with translation by Da’wah Leadership student Yunus Benamar.
Muslim Indigenous Elder of the Wurundjeri Hassan Andrew Gardiner performed the Welcome to Country, reflecting on the shared history between Indigenous First Peoples of Arnhem Land and the Makassan Muslims dating back long before settlement. College Principal Fazeel Arain shared an inspiring story on the importance of gratitude, especially after you have been blessed with abundance and prosperity.
Federal MP Andrew Giles shared his reflections on gratitude and celebrated our great diversity of the region. He expressed that “With everything that’s going on in the world, it has never been more important to have more platforms for interfaith engagement.” Justin O’Meara gave a heartfelt speech on behalf of Craig Lloyd, the CEO for City of Whittlesea reflecting on the month of gratitude and our diverse community made up of people from over 140 different countries.
The formal presentation closed with a speech by the founder of Whittlesea Interfaith Network (WIN), Kris Pavlidis, where she spoke very highly of all our members of WIN and celebrated our commitment to fostering greater social cohesion. Kris was presented with a plaque of appreciation, from Al Siraat College, produced on campus by the Art & Technology Team, and presented officially by Federal MP Andrew Giles.
This event was a part of the Interfaith Youth Forum Project, proudly supported by the Victorian State Government and hosted by Al Siraat College in collaboration with Whittlesea Interfaith Network & St Monica’s College, and proudly supported by City of Whittlesea & Victoria Police.
