Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Ramadan Message of the Hon.Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Deputy Leader of the House Australia
(Sada-e-Watan Received this Message through High Commissioner of Pakistan H.E. Fauzia Nasreen)
The Holy month of Ramadan began since few days. The coming weeks will be a time of prayer and reflection for Muslim Australians, symbolised by fasting from sunrise to sunset. It is a time of contemplation and compassion when people think about what they can give to the community, and reflect on the condition of those less fortunate than themselves. It is a time when families and friends come together.
Islam is the fourth largest religious grouping in Australia, with over 350,000 followers, some forty per cent of whom were born in Australia. The Australian Muslim community is highly diverse, with members from over 60 different ethnic backgrounds.
Muslim settlers are recorded in the first years of the settlement in New South Wales from 1802 onwards, as well as in the first census taken in 1828. In the mid-19th century the Afghan camel drivers played an important part in the exploration of the centre, including on the Burke and Wills expedition, and Muslim fishermen from Indonesia were trading with the peoples of Arnhem Land long before European settlement.
Last night I had the pleasure to join Perth Muslims and break the fast on Saturday night at the Western Australian Islamic Centre in Maylands. I spoke about Australia’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance, and the good work that Australia does both in our region and the United Nations in the Interfaith Dialogue area.
I wish Muslims in Australia and abroad a blessed month in this period of devotion and reflection. Ramadan Mubarak.
