Australia's Muslims celebrate Prophet Mohammed's birthday
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Many of Australia's 340 000 Muslims will today celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said it was an important day for Muslims worldwide.
'On this day, Muslims are reminded of the teachings of the Prophet, including the path of understanding, friendship, helping one another, and being accepting of each other,' Mr Ferguson said.
'We cannot and should not forget the part Muslim Australians have played in Australia’s development.
'People of Muslim faith have come to this country from all corners of the world and from the earliest times of settlement.
'They show their commitment to the future of Australia through their work in almost every sphere of community life, economically, culturally and socially.
'What people often don't realise is how many Muslim communities there are in Australia, with people originally from South-East Asia, South Asia, the Middle-East and Africa, not to mention the nearly 40 per cent Muslim Australians who were born here.
'I extend my warmest greetings to all Australian Muslims on this important anniversary of the Last Prophet of the Islamic faith,' Mr Ferguson added.
Media contact: Khaldoun Hajaj - 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08017.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST