SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — Australian minister will join Muslim community religious trends in the fasting month of Ramadan.
New South Wales (NSW) State Society and Citizenship Minister Victor Dominello announced he will keep fasting and join iftar feasts as it reinforces friendships and strengthens the bonds between people of a community, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
Dominello attended the foundation’s traditional “Friendship and Dialogue” iftar dinner, where he promoted a message of unity and solidarity. The iftar was held at the New South Wales parliament building and was attended by a number of media heads, political leaders, representatives of different faiths, and well-known artists.
Dominello pointed out that the need for emergency assistance for those starving and struggling to survive in Africa is especially important to respond to during Ramadan, the holy Islamic month characterized by solidarity, friendship, and tolerance as well as giving back to those less fortunate.
Affinity Intercultural Foundation President Mehmet Saral said that in this month the foundation will organize 26 intercultural and interfaith iftar programs. Many people from different religions sitting at the same table, eating and sharing, is a meaningful part of Ramadan, Saral said.
Dominello added, “We do not deprive people of something because of their religious beliefs,” he said. Many countries view diversity as a problem, Dominello said, but in Australia it is seen as great wealth. —www.shafaqna.com/english
