Deakin Iftar Dinner

Since 2009, the annual Deakin Iftar Dinner has been a symbol of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and friendship. The Chair proudly cohosts this event with Deakin and the Australian Intercultural Society.

About the Iftar Dinner

Iftar (إفطار) literally means “breaking the fast.” During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). Iftar is the name for the meal that breaks the fast each day. Moreover, it is a moment of joy and relief after a day of fasting.

You can hear UNESCO Chairholder Professor Fethi Mansouri speaking about the importance of Ramadan in this video. Additionally, Professor Mansouri reflects on what the Holy Month of Ramadan means to Muslims in his article on Ramadan, racism and the moral test facing Australian universities.

Past speakers and conversations

We invite you to watch video recordings of a number of Deakin Iftar Dinner speakers and panels.

Fostering connections and conversations

The Iftar dinner is a cherished event on the Deakin University calendar. It is also a celebration of our longstanding and valued partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society. Through this annual celebration, we foster friendships and intercultural dialogue with friends old and new. The photo gallery below captures the spirit of the Iftar Dinners over the years, which is characterised by compassion, conversation and respect.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor Kerrie Parker and Ahmet Keskin, the Executive Director of Australian Intercultural Society presenting Karen Percy with a beautiful coloured glass dish.
Karen Percy at the 2026 Deakin Iftar
A large room of carefully set round tables, with low lighting, empty of people before the event.
Attendees seated around a table, listening to a speaker at the Iftar dinner 2025.
Two men in suits on stage having a discussion at the 2025 Iftar.
A man in a suit standing at a podium speaking to a room full of people seated at round dining tables
A group of women socialising at the Iftar Dinner 2025
Four men in suits standing together smiling for the camera after presenting the Iftar dinner 2025.
Two men holding a large decorative plate between them.
Fethi speaking at the Iftar Dinner 2017
2015,Deakin,University, IFTAR, Dinner, Jane,den,ho;;ander,dumcc,fethi,
mansouri,Suleyman, Sertkaya, Hon,Professor, David, de, Kretser, AC,Omer, Atilla, Ergi,Ahmet, Keskin,AIS,
2015,Deakin,University, IFTAR, Dinner, Jane,den,ho;;ander,dumcc,fethi,
mansouri,Suleyman, Sertkaya, Hon,Professor, David, de, Kretser, AC,Omer, Atilla, Ergi,Ahmet, Keskin,AIS,
2015,Deakin,University, IFTAR, Dinner, Jane,den,ho;;ander,dumcc,fethi,
mansouri,Suleyman, Sertkaya, Hon,Professor, David, de, Kretser, AC,Omer, Atilla, Ergi,Ahmet, Keskin,AIS,