Celebrating multiculturalism: IPDC QLD Community Leader Iftar

Zerrin Afza

On Friday 24 March 2023, the Springwood Tower Function Room was alive with energy as leaders from different communities gathered to break their fast at the IPDC QLD Community Leader Iftar event.

The annual event, hosted by the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC), Queensland brought together leaders from different communities to share their perspectives on Ramadan and explore ways to promote multiculturalism and Australian values.

Dr Akram Hossain, the Founding President of IPDC QLD and Chairman of the Australian Centre for Unity, inaugurated the event.

The event was graced by John-Paul Langbroek MP, Member for Surfers Paradise and Shadow Minister for Seniors, Communities and Disability Services, and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

Councillor Natalie Willcocks, Logan Deputy Mayor, and leaders from various faiths like Michael Wroe (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and Sovannary Uk (Secretary, the Khemer Buddhist Society) also joined the program.

Prominent community figure Beny Bol, OAM (President, QACC), and Councillors representing different divisions of Greater while the many high profile religious leaders at the gathering included LMA Lakemba Mosque’s Imam Sheikh Yehya Safi, Australia’s Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed and ANIC president Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman.

Brisbane also attended the event, along with Acting Assistant Commissioner Melissa Adams.

All the guests spoke on various aspect of multiculturalism and Australian values during Ramadan.

Dr Abed Majid, Secretary of the Islamic Medical Association of Queensland (IMAQ), shed light on the medical aspects of fasting during Ramadan. At the same time, Imran Price, President of the Brisbane Muslim Fellowship and Secretary of the Brisbane Islamic Centre, discussed Ramadan’s significance and community building’s importance.

The event culminated with a speech by Mohammad Zahid Hossain, the IPDC QLD State President.

The Iftar meal was delicious, and community leaders from different religions and ethnicities enjoyed the event together.

The Community Leader Iftar event is an annual program that allows leaders from different communities to come together, share their perspectives on Ramadan, and explore ways to promote multiculturalism and Australian values.

This year’s event was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of the IPDC QLD and the support of the community.

Zerrin Afza is a doctoral student researching intergenerational patterns of Islamic knowledge transmission and religiosity in Queensland at the University of Queensland.

Sheikh Yehya spoke passionately about an LMA initiative of which he is justifiably proud, the introduction of the Al-Azhar Project, where full and part-time Shariah students have the unique opportunity to obtain an Azhari College degree through the branch of Azhar (Lebanon) and recognised by the iconic Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

In the days leading up to the Iftar, the LMA issued a strongly worded media release in support of Palestine.

And Association secretary Gamel Kheir doubled down on this statement at the Iftar – reiterating that the LMA stands with Palestine – and calling upon the Australian government to make a stand by denouncing Israel, its leaders and its army, in the hope that the rest of the world will follow.

A graphic video of the recent brutal attacks on Muslim worshippers praying at the sacred Al-Aksa Mosque visibly moved many of the guests present.

An earlier video presentation showcased the LMA’s many noteworthy achievements and milestones over the past 18 months, since the election of the current board of di- rectors.

These included the announcement by the board last July of the “LMA: Our Community, Our Future” project: a major upgrade of Lakemba Mosque and its grounds and the nearby Wangee Rd streetscape as well as the LMA Islamic Funeral Services and the four-storey LMA services building.

The infrastructure repairs and upgrades of all its buildings are desperately needed by the LMA to support the capacity and delivery of its services.

The community is being asked to assist with this project by way of donations, bearing in mind that the LMA didn’t request donations from the public to assist with any of its 2022 property purchases or any of its other recent major projects.

A heart-warming sight at the Iftar was that of over 20 Mashaykh from not only Sydney but also interstate and overseas enjoying each other’s company at adjoining tables.

The night ended on a superb note when the six-member Nasheed group Ahbab Al-Mustafa manned the stage and delivered some amazing Islamic poetry, accompanied by the beating of drums.

John Mahoney is a Content Writer with over 30 years experience and is based in Sydney, Australia.