An Iftar to remember
On 16 July, HE Mr Rod Smith, the Australian High Commissioner, hosted an Iftar reception at the High Commissioner’s Residence to honour the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. High Commissioner Smith delivered a welcoming address and told the guests “it is an honour for the High Commission to participate in this important aspect of the lives of our Muslim colleagues and friends, and we are honoured that you have chosen to break your fast with us… Tonight’s buka puasa is an opportunity for us to show our deep respect for the traditions of the holy month of Ramadan”.
High Commissioner Smith also told the guests that Ramadan was “an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful contribution that Muslim Australians make to contemporary Australia. So tonight we celebrate how Muslims have enriched Australia and its society”.
The High Commissioner quoted from Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s 2014 Ramadan message where Ms Bishop said “as Australian Muslims celebrate Ramadan, many will be thinking of relatives suffering displacement, unrest and conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere. Our thoughts are with them, and we share their hopes for peace”.
High Commissioner Smith’s remarks were followed by a speech by Ms Susan Carland, a prominent Muslim Australian speaker and media commentator. Acting Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Ridwaan Jadwat, performed the Azan to signify the official breaking of the fast and then led the Maghrib prayers.
The reception was attended by distinguished Malaysians from a range of fields including Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman; Executive Director of Sovereign Enterprises Sdn Bhd, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Syed Yusof Tun Syed Nasir; Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Encik Mohd Ridzal Sheriff; Director General, National Department for Culture & Arts, YBhg Dato’ Norliza Rofli; Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin; CEO of Petrosains, YM Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim; columnist for the Sun Media Corporation and former General Manager of BERNAMA, YBhg Datuk Azman Ujang; and Manager of Islamic Production of TV Al-Hijrah, Encik Jasmi Shahir.
