Bluestar

During the Holy month of Ramadan in 2010, Muslims all around Canberra once again opened their doors and hearts to welcome guests into their homes for Home Iftars. An idea initiated by Bluestar Intercultural Center (BIC), Home Iftars can be excellent avenues for non-Muslim Australians  from all walks of life to  experience the sanctity of the month of Ramadan.

During these sessions, the Muslim hosts prepare a traditional meal and welcome the non-Muslim guest who are total strangers with open hearts. They share a meal and conversation over dinner.

This initiative by BIC started a year ago and has been an important feature in our annual calendar. A BIC representative was present at all homes to introduce the guests to the host families.

BIC Executive Director Abdul Celil Gelim said that these Home iftars are a great way for Muslim integration into wider Australia and also are a great way to enhance our common bonds. He vow to continue these Home Iftars in the coming years.

Some testimonials of prominent people who attended the Iftar are as follow:

Thank you for inviting me to participate in this year's Ramadan celebrations. I commend and support your work in fostering understanding and acceptance of cultural and religious diversity in Australia. It is important to recognize the positive contribution diversity brings to Australian society and we all play a role to ensure we continue to live in a society which embraces different beliefs and cultures. I support the efforts of Muslim Australians in the Canberra, Bluestar Intercultural Centre to foster friendship and understanding. Good luck in your work

The Hon. Senator Kate Lundy
Parliamentary Secretary for Prime Minister
Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Citizenship

Greetings and very best wishes for the Holy Month of Ramadan. I congratulate Bluestar for its leadership and generosity in initiating the VIP Home Iftar Dinner. I am sure that the hospitality of Bluestar and the opportunity for members of the broader community to share in the Iftar meal will deepen understanding, respect and harmony.
Professor Ross Chambers
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University

I send you my very best wishes for the Holy Month of Ramadan. During this month Muslims around the world deepen their spiritual lives and strengthen their links with their community. The IFTAR dinners are ways in which Muslims not only share that community among themselves but also strengthen links with believers of other faiths including Christianity. Thus hope that this year this Holy Month and these dinners will give spiritual strength to the Muslim community and also enhance harmony particularly between Christians and Muslims. Harmony of this kind is central to our understanding of what it is to be part of the wider Australian community. If we can’t get relationships right in Australia there are very few countries around the world where this is possible.

Reverend Professor James Haire AM
Executive Director of Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture

I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my best wishes to members of the Muslim community for Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Over many years I have been involved with the Muslim community in Canberra and I recognise the importance of Ramadan and the values instilled through the practice of month -long fasting and religious observance. Values of patience, self-sacrifice and the pursuit of good deeds through practices like zakat al-fitr, donation to the poor, at the conclusion of Ramadan are values and traditions which have significance across all parts of Australian society. he daily iftar, breaking of the fast, with family and friends is one of the best representations of community in the simple act of hospitality and sharing a meal. I hope that we are all able to take time to reflect and consider how we can all make a positive contribution to our democracy, our society and others in our lives. I wish all members of the Bluestar Intercultural Center and Muslim community the very best at this time and look forward to sharing in the spirit of community.
Senator Gary Humphries
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory