Eid Celebrations

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (16:00): In the lead-up to Eid celebrations, I rise today to wish the many Muslims in my community my sincerest Eid Mubarak. The communities I represent are proudly diverse, with 40 per cent of us, including myself, born overseas. This includes a large Muslim population, who have been exemplary in breaking glass ceilings, dispelling myths and proving we all want similar things out of life.

With the holy month of Ramadan ending, a lot can be said at this time of fasting, prayer, reflection and, of course, community. I had the privilege of first getting to know the local Muslim community via a local school, Garden College. As a candidate in the last election, I was invited to attend the year 12's graduation ceremony and admit having no idea what to expect. But I was deeply impressed the moment I arrived. The community was warm, kind and made me feel welcome from the get go.

I sat and listened to the speeches, and as the night progressed, the words of the principal, Dr Edries, were profound. While I cannot recall them verbatim, she said to her graduates, 'If you can't remember what we taught you in maths, or science or some other area of academia, remember to hold on to your sincerity, for this will serve you well on your pathway towards adulthood.' Several months later, I approached Dr Edries and told her how these words could not escape me. She turned around to me and said, 'John, we are in the business of creating decent human beings.' There are moments like these that floor you for their brilliance and this was certainly one of them.

My office devotes a significant effort working with all our multicultural communities, reinforcing their significance to the fantastic tapestry that we call South Australia. This could not be done without the services of Munhumel Khan. He is not only a friend but also a fantastic representative of both the local Bangladeshi and Muslim communities. I am grateful for all his hard work and advice, but, more importantly, my whole team has gained so much insight into his culture and values. We love his company and over time we have realised that he has a wicked sense of humour.

Beyond Playford, I would imagine there would be just a handful of electorates to boast two mosques, both within a few kilometres of each other. This includes the Fatima Zahra Mosque, with a large congregation of Afghani members, and the Islamic Community Milli Gorus (ICMG) mosque, drawing its members across many different ethnic backgrounds.

Both are always welcoming and I was recently honoured to attend my first iftar at the ICMG mosque two weeks ago. This was a special occasion and I enjoyed how we shared the meal together in a communal environment. While my arthritis medication restricts me from taking water out of my life, I made the point of fasting in the hope of gaining a greater appreciation of the moment. It made me a bit tired towards the end of the day, but as I ate a date with those around me, it gave me a moment to reflect on several attributes I adhere to personally—some not dissimilar to those I was sharing the experience with.

With Eid upon us, I am looking forward to tonight attending the Bangladesh Club of Australia's Chand Raat Festival in Mawson Lakes, followed by an Eid Festival Dinner, held by my friend Abdul Mannan, tomorrow evening. Both are very happy occasions, where the community comes together to enjoy the moment. Regarding the latter, Abdul is the proud owner of Priyo Bangla Catering and prides himself on his exquisite Bangladeshi cuisine. Given he fasts during Ramadan, it is a testament not just to his skills as a great cook but also to his faith that his food always comes up perfectly, despite him being unable to taste what he has been preparing.

Our Islamic community enriched us almost immediately after South Australia was established as a colony. We only have to look at the history of the Ghan to reflect on their profound impact. Eid is a special time when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn and the graves of relatives are visited. Following a month of fasting, this is a time for celebration with family and loved ones. I thank the local Islamic community for sharing this with the broader community and wish them all the best for the very special occasion ahead.