Muslim Australians celebrate the festival of Eid
Wednesday 1 October 2008
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, extended his best wishes to Australia’s 340 000 Muslims who today celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
‘For Muslim Australians, Ramadan marks a month of fasting, and Eid, which means “festivity” in Arabic, is the end of that month and is celebrated after the sighting of the new crescent moon,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Eid is a family and social event. After Eid prayers, people visit each other, exchange gifts and spend time socialising with extended family and community and visiting the sick.’
According to the 2006 census, Islam is the fourth largest religious grouping in Australia and Muslims have made many positive contributions to the growth and prosperity of our nation.
‘The first large mosque was built in Adelaide in 1890, and another was built in Broken Hill in 1891, and already in those days the contribution of Muslims was vital to Australia,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘In the early 19th century, Afghan cameleers helped explore Australia’s interior, and they played an equally important role in the development of the overland telegraph line between Adelaide and Darwin from 1870 to 1872, which eventually linked Australia to London via India.
‘In modern Australia, our Muslim community contributes to the ongoing growth and success of our nation through their work in many spheres of social and professional life.
‘As one example, Australia’s halal food export industry has opened up trade to a large number of Muslim countries and brought more than $3.7 billion to our economy since 2001.
‘I wish all Muslim Australians a happy Eid,’ Mr Ferguson added.
Media Contact: Khaldoun Hajaj 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08058.htm
Last update: 01 October 2008 at 09:29 AEST