Ramadan Message from Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
The following is a Ramadan message from the Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, delivered recently in Perth.
“The holy month of Ramadan began this week.
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 as 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 Interfiath Dialogue area.
I wish Muslims in Australia and abroad a blessed month in this period of devotion and reflection. Ramadan Mubarak.”
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
16 August 2010
For further information please contact:
Senior Research and Communications Officer
Australian High Commission, Dhaka.
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]