The Shepparton Interfaith Network writes an open letter to the Islamic Community of Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley. The month of Ramadan – observed by the Islamic Community of the Goulburn Valley – has passed and today is the day of Eid-al-Fitr, the conclusion of the Holy Month. The Shepparton Interfaith Network offers the acclamation Eid Mubarak! to all muslims of the Goulburn Valley. Blessings on your Feast Day and throughout the Year!
The President, The Afghan Association of the Goulburn Valley The President, Shepparton Albanian Moslem Society The President, Imam Kadhim Mosque, Shepparton, The President, Turkish Cultural Centre and Mosque, Mooroopna, The President, Al-Kasem Youth Club
Eid is upon us. I take this opportunity to wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters every blessing on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr. We have been in solidarity with you during the past month in fasting, prayer and intercession. We acknowledge the physical discipline of your bodily fasting, the spiritual devotion of your hearts and the generosity of your alms-giving. We have asked God to reward all your efforts with abundant blessings.
During the month of Ramadan we have been the beneficiaries of your hospitality and generosity at iftar meals at public receptions and in private homes. Your welcome, warmth and friendliness has been very much appreciated. You have opened your hearts and your homes not only to family and friends, but also to strangers, to people of other faiths, to the homeless, to refugees, to those in need. You have persevered in building relations and strengthening social cohesion, confounding those who want to sow division and conflict among us. We thank you most sincerely and congratulate you whole-heartedly for this witness to shared civic and religious responsibility. You have given a wonderful example of multi-cultural and multi-religious living. We hope and pray that many others in Australia and around the world will follow your example.
We acknowledge with deep sorrow the violence that has afflicted Orlando, Istanbul, Kabul, Dhaka, Baghdad, many other part of the world, but most offensively, the holy city of Medina during these past days. We know that such actions are contrary to the authentic spirit of all religions. We pray for peace with justice for all peoples throughout the world.
The Shepparton Interfaith Network joins together: “We join our prayerful good wishes to those of all who seek peace for our nation for abundant blessings during Ramadan and for a lasting joy of Eid al-Fitr.”
We add our own humble prayer, asking God Almighty to bless you and your families in abundance at this happy time of Eid. May the blessings of Ramadan and Eid continue to bear fruit in your lives throughout the coming year.
Eid Mubarak!
Blessings on your Feast Day and throughout the Year!
