The Iftar dinners were not restricted to only those of the Islamic faith but were used as opportunities to share meals with people of several beliefs and backgrounds. The events included talks by school principals or their representatives and local government and community officials who spoke of the need to celebrate and share experiences together. Speeches were variously presented by Jason Clare MP, Dr Zachariah Matthews (Deen Academy), Darren Stevens (Birrong Boys HS principal), John Kennedy (Homebush Boys HS principal), Hala Ramadan (Belmore Boys High School principal), Osman Karolia (Unity Grammar College deputy principal), Murat Dizdar (Executive Director Public Schools NSW) Chris Charles (Department of Education), Kamal Saleh (spoken word poet) and many others.
Issam Chaouk, Director of Projects and Omar Al-Jamal, Public Relations Manager represented and spoke on behalf of Human Appeal International Australia. Mr Chaouk highlighted the importance of the Iftar dinners to educate young people about charity and the need to pay back to the community. He explained that the main reason for sponsoring the school events was to honour fasting students and their families and to share the experience with the wider school communities. A short video of Human Appeal’s humanitarian work overseas was also shown.
As a part of the dinner programmes which were mostly MCd by student leaders, the acclaimed international singer from Syria, Yahya Hawwa performed a number of traditional songs of praise and prayer. At the Birrong Boys HS dinner he sang a song drawing warm praise from the audience when he invited some students to join him on stage to sing along with the chorus. Other guests at the dinners included Judy McKay MP, Sophie Cotsis MLC and Jan Green from Department of Education.
“It was an honour for me to be able to bring our diverse and rich communities together in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere to share the break of fast and to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. This is the first time the school has held a function of this size and thanks goes to Human Appeal for their sponsorship,”said Souhair Harris, dinner coordinator from Birrong Boys HS. “Our school was also delighted to showcase the efforts to raise funds to sponsor a water well in a needy country,” she proudly added.
Human Appeal International Australia is proud to be involved with events that celebrate multiculturalism by bringing people of different backgrounds together in the spirit of sharing and community. Australia is indeed blessed to be a leading example of harmonious diversity and social inclusion.
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