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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-07 Daily Xml
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Ramadan

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (16:21): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that Ramadan, the Islamic Holy Month, begins on 10 March 2024 or as nominated by the sighting of the crescent moon;

2. Notes that Ramadan is a month of fasting from sunrise through to sunset and a month of spiritual reflection, forgiveness and compassion; and

3. Conveys its good wishes to the South Australian Muslim community on the advent of this blessed month.

This month, millions of Muslims around the world will be commencing the holiest period of the year, Ramadan, and I want to convey my good wishes to the South Australian Muslim community on the advent of this blessed month.

I am sure that many members in this parliament have attended a Ramadan iftar dinner at least once and are aware of the significance of this annual occurrence to our South Australian Muslim community. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and it holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline and heightened community connection.

If you did not know, Ramadan begins and ends with the appearance and sighting of the crescent moon. Because of this, the exact start date of Ramadan varies in different countries according to their own sightings, and since the Islamic lunar calendar follows phases of the moon and is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan will always begin 10 to 12 days earlier than it did the previous year. This year, Ramadan is predicted to fall on either Monday 11 March or Tuesday 12 March.

For those Muslims who are fit, healthy and able to do so, the month is observed as a period of fasting from dawn until sunset. It is also time for increased devotion to prayer and reflection, with the aim of deepening our connection to faith. These acts of worship provide opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal, but beyond its religious significance Ramadan also serves as a period of personal growth and introspection.

Fasting during Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food and drinks, it is a practice in self-discipline, empathy and compassion. By experiencing hunger and thirst, Muslims gain a deeper appreciation for the blessings of food and a duty to help those less fortunate. The pre-dawn meal, known as suhoor, provides nourishment for the day ahead, while the sunset meal, iftar, is an opportunity for communal gatherings and shared meals. These gatherings strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity within Muslim communities, fostering a sense of unity and support.

Growing up, I have fond memories of getting together with extended family, swapping home-cooked dishes with the neighbours and sharing food with others during Ramadan. I also have memories of the banging drums in the early morning signalling that it was time to wake up for suhoor. Of course, I learned to appreciate these wake-up calls, as it was better than accidentally sleeping in and missing the pre-dawn meal, knowing you would not be able to eat or drink until after the sun set again.

Another important aspect of Ramadan is charity, known as zakat, where Muslims are encouraged to give to those in need both within their communities and beyond. During this month especially, the spirit of shared responsibility, compassion and humanity is highlighted.

As Muslims around the world prepare for Ramadan celebrations, the plight of those in Palestine is not forgotten. In recent years, we have witnessed increased violence against Palestinians and Muslims during the holy month in Palestine, and this year that threat is more significant than ever.

This year, at the height of Israel's occupation, Muslims worldwide and especially those in our South Australian communities are mourning the violence and loss in Palestine. They are fearful for those under Israel's occupation during this holy month, knowing that, as we gather around tables to break our fasts, many in Palestine are enduring unimaginable hardships.

The scarcity of aid and the deliberate deprivation of basic necessities imposed by the Israeli occupation means that the existing famine, which is already affecting over half a million people in the Gaza Strip, will only be amplified. As we reflect on the blessings of sustenance, it is impossible to ignore the fact that our Palestinian brothers and sisters are starving. This has impacted our South Australian Muslim community so significantly that many have decided to cancel their Ramadan celebrations this year.

This Ramadan, my only hope is that the international community and their leaders will pull together to put an end to the suffering of Palestinians. May this Ramadan bring peace, aid and liberation to the people of Palestine and all other suffering countries. I commend the motion to the chamber.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee.

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