Under the auspices of Deakin Vice Chancellor Professor Iain Martin, and in partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society, the UNESCO Chair was delighted to host the 2025 Deakin Iftar dinner on 7 March, at Deakin Downtown. The Honourable Peter Khalil MP delivered a timely keynote on social cohesion and multiculturalism in contemporary Australia.
‘Iftar’ is the meal Muslims eat to break their fast during Ramadan. This event brings together community members of all faiths to share a meal, symbolising friendship and intercultural dialogue. Since its inception in 2009, this event has celebrated the coming together of guests from diverse backgrounds to share a meal in an atmosphere of respect and understanding.
The evening commenced with Deakin Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, founding Director of ADI, opening the night as the Master of Ceremonies, who highlighted the significance of Ramadan to the Muslim community.
“Events such as Iftar dinners are crucial in signalling that our individual commitment for and collective orientation towards an inclusive and respectful society is as strong as ever, and that together our society will continue to breathe new life into the multicultural ethos that has sustained the nation for more than fifty years,” he said.
Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering peace, tolerance and mutual respect among different faiths and cultures. Following the Vice-Chancellor’s address, Mr Peter Khalil MP, Federal Labor member for Wills, delivered a timely keynote on social cohesion and multiculturalism in contemporary Australia. “Social cohesion doesn’t happen by accident. It’s driven by the goodwill and efforts of those involved,” he said.
Khalil highlighted the roles of various sectors, including business, sports, NGOs, community leaders, academia, the arts and media, in setting cultural norms. He stressed the importance of every citizen’s contribution to maintaining a harmonious society and combating hatred and violence. Khalil concluded his address by expressing his gratitude to Mr Ahmet Keskin, Executive Director of the Australian Intercultural Society, and Deakin University for their unwavering commitment to interfaith dialogue. “It’s an act of courage and leadership and it’s an act which is even more necessary when the time is most difficult. When it’s most hard to do, that’s when you do it and I commend you for that.”
The Chair would like to thank all those in attendance, for contributing to such a warm and special event.
Watch Peter Khalil MP’s full address on YouTube.
Photography by Fiona Hamilton.
