The Islamic Council of Victoria proudly supported the first ever Bendigo Islamic Centre Eid Dinner held in Bendigo on Saturday 23rd August 2014, under the theme of “Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Promoting Social Harmony” and say a genuine “Thank You” for all those who came out in support of the local Muslim communities rights for a place of worship.
Approx. 260 attend the Dinner which was a most wonderful opportunity with members of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities and both locals of Bendigo and guests from Melbourne coming together and with a total of 15 guest speakers representing different groups and communities proved why Bendigo is such a “prosperous multicultural community of people living together in peace and freedom”.
Br Ghaith Krayem (Secretary) spoke on behalf of the ICV alongside Dr Shaker Issa (President of BIC), Aunty Lynn (Aboriginal Elder), Cr. Barry Lyons (Mayor of Bendigo Council), Chin Tan (VMC), Amanda Miller MP (Representing the Minister for Multiculturalism), Jacinta Allan MP (Representing the Leader of the Opposition, TelmoLanguiller MP (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition and Multicultural Affairs), Sen. Richard Di Natale (Greens Senator for Victoria), Dr Michael Langdon (Bendigo Hospital CEO & Liberal Candidate for Bendigo), Robert Stephenson (La Trobe UniBendigo), Fr. Andrew Fewings (Interfaith Community), Margot Spalding (Business Community) and DrSeyedSheriffdeen (AIM – Australian Islamic Mission). Plus Entertainment from the Saman and PencakSilat Groups.
A quote from the night amply illustrated the cooperation and harmony evident in this event:
“as citizens of Bendigo we have a commitment to various values and institutions. These include parliamentary democracy, equality before law, freedom of the individual, freedom of speech and religion, equality between men and women, equality of opportunity for all. Citizenship also brings civil and social rights, the right to express our cultural heritage and beliefs, coupled with a responsibility to accept the rights of others to express their heritage and beliefs”.