Queensland Intercultural Society hosted its traditional annual Parliament House Interfaith and Intercultural Ramadan Iftar Dinner at the Queensland Parliament House. Guests included Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Minister for Disability Services & Multicultural Affairs , Hon Geoff Wilson MP, Minister for Education and Training, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister of Infrastructure, Hon Stephen Robertson,Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Minister of Trade., Hon Cameron Dick MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, Opposition Leader Jean-Paul Lanbroek , Deputy Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg , Executive Educational Advisor, Queensland Education and Cultural Foundation Mr Mehmet Yavuzlar, Archbishop Brian Finnigan, Father John Abdul-Karim of Antiochian Orthodox Church, Prominent Scholars, Representatives of various faith and ethnic groups, Clergy and members of the media.
Members of the Parliament, councillors, community leaders, religious leaders, academics and other prominent guests took part in the fast-breaking dinner following Adhan.
Master of the Ceremony Maria Maruca welcomed the guests and summarized the activities of QIS and the meaning of Ramadan for the audience.
QIS director Mr Yasar Savran recited Quran which later was translated by QIS President Fatih Asar into English. Mr. Asar highlighted the common values of various faiths especially the 3 major religions Christianity, Islam and Judaism and said it was our responsibility as community leaders and members of the government and the opposition to build bridges and educate people.
After the dinner, the speakers took the stage and delivered their messages on the significance of love, solidarity, tolerance and interfaith dialog.
Premier Anna Bligh celebrated the holy month of Ramadan and called for more dialogue between Queenslanders.
Hon John Mickel MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly said he was honoured to have hosted the Ramadan dinner for the second time at the Parliament house and reminded the audience that the Parliament is the house of Queenslanders of all faiths.
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Minister for Disability Services & Multicultural Affairs Annastacia Palaszczuk joined in for the same call for peace and intercultural dialogue and praised the activities of Queensland Intercultural Society.
Opposition Leader Mr Jean-Paul Lanbroek MP, praised the values Ramadan added to the society.
Among the speakers at the event was Prof. Gerard Hall from Australian Catholic University. In his speech he offered some insight into understanding interfaith dialogue and its role in bridging the dialogue gap among different cultures as well as the members of the society we live in.
Murat Coskun, QIS director; delivered a speech on the importance of Ramadan in the lives of Australian Muslims.
After the speeches, Minister Palaszczuk presented Building Bridges 2010 Awards to winners Murat Coskun and Professor Gerard Hall. Travel Counsellors - Mehmet Tavli, Finance Option Home Loans, Sabdia Accountants and Auditors, Sunshine kebabs, Osman insurance, Ahmets restaurant were awarded as Sponsors of the event. Mr. Mehmet Yavuzlar also awarded Hon John Mickel MP for his continuous support to QIS Ramadan Iftar Dinners with a hand-made China Plate from Kutahya.
