On the evening of April 12th, the Australian Arab Business Council (AABC) hosted an Iftar at Summerland restaurant in Bankstown. The event, which took place in the third week of Ramadan, was attended by a modest crowd of local residents and AABC members.

Guests were treated to a delicious traditional Lebanese meal, which included Kafta, chicken, and lamb with garlic, chicken and rice, fattoush, and various dips such as hummus and baba ganoush. Traditional Ramadan entrees, such as pumpkin soup, were also served. Brochures were available for guests to take, which included a form to sign up as a member of the AABC. The brochure highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment “to promote investment and trade between the Arab world and domestic business in Australia”. Several politicians, including Liberal State MP Tina Ayyad and Federal Greens Senator David Shoebridge, were also in attendance.

As the meal progressed, AABC President Radwan Hamdan took to the stage to deliver some remarks. Hamdan emphasized the unity that Ramadan provides to all within the Islamic community and broader society, and how Australia celebrates its diversity. He said, “Ramadan is a time when people join forces together in the pursuit of hope, tolerance, and peace. We are grateful that in Australia, residents of all faiths can live in peace, safety, happiness, and freedom.”

After acknowledging recent Easter and Passover celebrations, Senator Shoebridge took the stage to deliver brief remarks on AABC and the recent violence in the Middle East. He spoke about the recent violence between Palestinians and Israelis at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, saying that it highlighted “how much we need Australia to step up and speak on behalf of the rights of the Palestinian people and the Arab community more broadly”. After his remarks, Senator Shoebridge praised the AABC, saying “It’s such a pleasure to see the strength and resilience, the economic and cultural diversity in this Arab Australian Business Council, and I would hope you take this message from what I had to say: that you have a bunch of friends.”

The event concluded near 8 pm, and Ramadan will end on Friday, April 21st.