Premier Mike Baird hosts Iftar Dinner at Parliament House 2015

Members of the Muslim Community Radio, 2mfm were delighted to be invited to the second iftar dinner hosted by the Premier of New South Wales Mike Baird MP.

The annual event hosted at NSW Parliament House on Monday the 22nd of June was attended by the NSW Muslim community observing the Holy month of Ramadan along with other community representatives including members of Parliament, Muslim Imams and community leaders.

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from MC Dr Geoff Lee MP Member for Parramatta and Parliamentary Secretary for Communities, followed by Qur’anic recitation and speeches by John Ajaka MLC Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services and Minister for Multiculturalism. He then introduced Mike Baird MP Premier of New South Wales who reflected on the significance of Ramadan.

“That sense of denying self is a critical thing but it’s also in that context understanding that there are others across this world that don’t have the opportunity to eat when they want”, Mr. Baird said.

Mr. Baird also acknowledged “incredible moments” of harmony after the Martin Place siege when young Muslim leaders told him they had never felt so much a part of NSW.

 “And one of the most incredible was standing there with young Muslim leaders … and they said to me they’d never felt more part of this state than they did in those days.”

The iftar dinner provided a welcomed opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significance of this occasion for Australia’s Muslim community.

 {gallery}prem_iftar_2015{/gallery}