18th Victorian Parliament Iftar Dinner 2024
The 18th annual Victorian Parliament Iftar dinner was held at the Sofitel hotel on the 12th of March, 2024. The gathering brought together esteemed guests from various backgrounds and cultures to celebrate unity and understanding. The event was co-hosted by The Honourable Ingrid Stitt (Minister for Multicultural Affairs), Mr John Pesutto (Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs), and Ahmet Keskin (Executive Director of the Australian Intercultural Society).
The evening commenced with a Welcome to Country and Didgeridoo performance by Uncle Shane Charles, honoring the traditional custodians of the land and setting the tone for an evening of cultural celebration and dialogue. Renowned journalist Mary Gerin served as the master of ceremonies, guiding guests through an evening of reflection and camaraderie.
In her address, Minister Ingrid Stitt extended gratitude to all dignitaries and guests present considering the event was taking place in challenging times for the local Muslim community. She acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land and recognised the importance of cultural diversity in shaping Victoria’s identity. She emphasised the significance of Ramadan as a time of fasting, spiritual growth, and community, highlighting the values of generosity and hospitality inherent in the Iftar tradition. She mentioned the importance of continuing with the VIC Parliament Iftar dinner tradition and said our resilience in challenging times is a strength to our multicultural society.
Mr John Pesutto was delighted to have the opportunity to co-host the event, acknowledging the significance of the Victorian Parliament Iftar dinner as a cornerstone of the multicultural calendar. He commended the Australian Intercultural Society for its leadership in fostering understanding and relationships across diverse communities in Victoria. He emphasised the importance of respect being a guiding tool for our dialogue and engagement and that differences of opinion could be at least respected if not resolved by applying this principle in all of our encounters.
The highlight of the evening was the keynote speech delivered by The Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, who eloquently emphasised the significance of unity in a time marked by conflict and division. She began by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people, and underscored the importance of respecting diverse cultural traditions as there are many First Nations communities across Victoria and Australia.
Reflecting on the message of the dinner, the Governor highlighted the collective commitment to peace, humanity, and the betterment of society. She emphasised the role of democracy in fostering dialogue and understanding among people with different beliefs, backgrounds, and traditions. Drawing attention to Victoria’s rich multicultural history, the Governor recounted the contributions of diverse communities, including the early Muslim settlers who played vital roles in shaping the state’s identity. She praised initiatives like Open Mosque Day and Ramadan Iftar dinners, which promote dialogue, understanding and mutual respect among Victorians of all backgrounds.
The Governor commended the Australian Intercultural Society for its efforts in fostering social cohesion and promoting cross-cultural connections. In closing, the Governor expressed hope that the evening’s festivities would bring joy and a greater sense of connection among attendees. She reiterated the importance of embracing diversity and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected in Victoria.
The evening also heard from Aleyna Altinors, a spoken word artist who read a poem about the oneness of humanity and the need to listen with our hearts. Victor Perton from the Centre for Optimism rounded off the evening by offering a vote of thanks and stressed the need to have an optimistic outlook on life and work towards better days with a strong sense of hope and persistence. The floor reflectionists talked about the need to have respectful conversations during challenging times and that we must stay the course for brighter days ahead.
Many guests commented on the need to have events like the Victorian Parliament Iftar dinner as it demonstrates that community led initiatives have a more permanent standing in our state’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and mutual respect. As Victorians continue to come together to celebrate their differences and shared values, the event reinforced the notion that diversity is indeed our greatest strength.
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