House debates
Thursday, 25 March 2021
Statements by Members
Ramadan
1:34 pm
Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I rise to wish the Muslim community a happy and prosperous Ramadan. Ramadan will begin on 12 April, when we're all away from this place. Families across Australia, and indeed right around the world, are now preparing for the holy month where they will abstain from food, drinking and bad thoughts from dawn to sun down. Ramadan is about exercising self-restraint, reconnecting with one's faith and being grateful for family and friends. It's often described as starving the body to feed the soul. I want to say also that this month will be different from last year. People will actually be able to gather. It's an important time for family and friends and communities to gather. At the end of Ramadan there will be gatherings of friends and family for iftar dinners across the country. I say to all of our Muslim communities around Australia: Ramadan Mubarak. Have a very happy rest of the month ahead.