Peace and community spirit come to the fore for Muslims across Melbourne’s west and north as they prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
Next week, Ramadan starts and for a month Muslims across the world will abstain from food and drink and refrain from gossip and other activities deemed unseemly, from dawn until dusk.
Sunshine mosque president Mustafa Ramadan said the month was significant for Muslims as an opportunity to purify the soul, refocus attention on God and come together as a community.
The mosque is run by the Cyprus Turkish Islamic Community, and Mr Ramadan said the coming month gave Muslims the chance to express thanks for their good fortune and be more aware of the hardships of others.
“Some people around the world don’t have access to eating three meals a day or the luxury to eat whatever they want,” he said.
“Ramadan is a chance to experience what that might feel like and be thankful that we are fortunate to be here with these opportunities.”
He said each night Muslims came together with family and friends for the evening meal, known as iftar, to end their daily fast.
“We always prepare iftar dinners at the mosque and we try and have all the community together,” Mr Ramadan said. “Bringing people together and social interaction is … part of being a community.”
Mr Ramadan said the wider community would also be welcomed to the mosque for a special iftar meal in coming weeks.
In the past, the Sunshine mosque has hosted guests from Victoria Police, government ministers and community leaders, both Muslim and non-Muslim, at its iftars.
Eid celebrations to mark the end of Ramadan will be held at Sunshine mosque on the first Sunday of August. “We want to live in peace with everybody,” Mr Ramadan said.
Yasemin Talat
