Volunteer work is a great way to give back to the community. I am one of the proud volunteer with NSW Rural Fire Service.
The Casula Rural Fire Brigade hosted their second annual Iftar dinner on Thursday 28 March 2024 at Middleton Grange station, NSW RFS.
Observed at sunset, Iftar is the fast-breaking meal taken by Muslims during Ramadan.
The event saw members from across Sydney’s Cumberland/Macarthur district sit down to break bread after Zahid Alam calling the Azan, call to prayer followed by Maghreb prayer led by Br Ahmed Hraichie.
RFS deputy commissioners Peter McKechnie and Kyle Stewart also stopped by to grace the event and share the meal.
“To us, this event represents more than the nightly breaking of fast,” Casula Brigade Captain Ben Graham said. “This night is about the coming together of the RFS community for a feast in celebration of multiculturalism and family.”
Captain Graham thanked firefighter Richard Tabbah for initiating this tradition.
“Richard excels at bringing people together and creating a very social, family-like atmosphere at the station,” he said. “We look forward to hosting this night for many years to come and with even more volunteers.”
Captain of Casula Rural Fire Brigade Ben Graham welcomed everyone with pride and excitement, to this second annual Casula Brigade Iftar dinner.
This tradition was initiated by Richard Tabbah who is an enthusiastic member of his brigade and excels at bringing people together creating a great social and family atmosphere at the station.
Other dignitaries attending the event included:
- Deputy Commissioner Field Operations Peter McKechnie AFSM
- Deputy Commissioner Preparedness & Capability Kyle Stewart
- Superintendent Angelo Baldo AFSM, Manager Cumberland/Macarthur
- Superintendent Glenn McCartney, Manager Hills District
- Inspector Justin Pinson, 2IC Cumberland/Macarthur
- Ahmed Hraichie, Imam leading the prayer
For NSW RFS the event celebrates the coming together of the RFS membership and the community for a feast in celebration of multiculturalism, teamwork, cohesiveness and family.
These staff at the station were thanked at the event:
– Sue Elveren and Rodney Fenech
– Media – Victoria Quested and Conor Dean’s
– Chris McGraw, Middleton Captain and Frank.
At the end Captain Graham thanked everyone for their support and time in attending the event hoping to see many more at the next year’s Ramadan event in order to share the message of love and support as wide as possible.
The support for this event from the RFS at a local, district and State level has been fantastic and enthusiastic from the get go showing an understanding throughout the organisation of the importance of community integration and embracing membership from a variety of backgrounds.
It sends a message of inclusiveness, appreciation, support and openness to change for NSW RFS.
The NSW RFS is a huge organisation that relies upon the input of thousands of individuals from many walks of life. Casula brigade is based in Liverpool, a very multicultural city.
Over recent years, our brigade has taken on a wide representation of the diverse community with members from many different cultural backgrounds and faiths.
This diverse membership base is to the advantage of the brigade seen every time when interacting with the community.
Whether it be a car accident, a bush fire, the Easter Show or at a local school, the community listens and trusts NSW RFS.
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