The UNESCO Chair was delighted to cohost the 2025 Deakin Iftar dinner on 7 March, at Deakin Downtown. The annual Iftar is held under the auspices of Deakin Vice Chancellor Professor Iain Martin and in partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society. This year, 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. Each year, the Deakin Iftar dinner brings together community members of all faiths and backgrounds to share a meal and conversation together. Since it began in 2009, the annual Iftar has become a symbol of friendship and intercultural dialogue.
About the event
The evening commenced with Deakin Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, opening the night as the Master of Ceremonies. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the significance of Ramadan to the Muslim community. He also noted what a difficult year of collective grief it has been for communities everywhere. Then, he asked guests to keep in mind those not able to break their fast this year.
“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 in setting cultural norms. He stressed the role of every citizen in maintaining a harmonious society and combating hatred and violence. Finally, Khalil concluded by thanking the organisers 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 thanks 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.
