Australia, Community

Unique multifaith Eid celebration unities communities

MELBOURNE, 4 April, 2025: People from across all suburbs today evening assembled at the ‘Multifaith Eid Celebration’ encompassing a broad spectrum of faiths and community organisations, at the Springvale City Hall, organised by Lee Tarlamis, Labor MP, South East Metropolitan Region and the Interfaith Council.

This was a unique Eid celebration with a blend of different faiths and cultures embedded in Victoria and Australia’s multicultural ethos. The function was laced with people together celebrating Eid, many in their traditional attire.

Speeches by Lee Tarlamis MP, Julian Hill MP, Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Victoria’s Multicultural Minister Ingrid Stitt, and Dandenong Mayor, Jim Memeti, addressed the august gathering.

The speakers expressed happiness at the display of multicultural unity for celebrating Eid, after fasting ended recently during Ramadan. The fact that this celebration was able to bring together communities was appreciated.

It was inspiring to hear from Minister for Multicultural Affairs Hon Ingrid Stitt MP and Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs The Hon Julian Hill MP, who reminded those gathered that, “Social cohesion is crucial. It’s how we relate to each other.” The Chinese and Bollywood presentations added to the diversity emanating from multiculturalism.

Prominent among others present were Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs and the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Pauline Richards MP, Government Whip in the Legislative Assembly, Belinda Wilson MP, Deputy Government Whip in the Legislative Assembly, Eden Foster MP, Member for Mulgrave, Meng Heang Tak MP, Member for Clarinda and Michael Galea MP.

The panel discussion saw panelists (different faiths leaders) express and discuss the role of celebrating festivals together, creating unity and harmony among different faith communities.

During the function, I was elated to hear that much of the vegetarian food and dessert was provided by the Mordialloc Hindu Temple (AumSai Sansthan Temple, Mordialloc), whose representative Anil could be seen helping around with the arrangements. A Pakistani restaurant gave the ‘Jalebi’ dessert and the meat curries came from another restaurant. ‘Kottamba Foods’ made a huge contribution and also had a stall to display their latest Indian cuisine and frozen breads products.