Al Siraat College hosts inaugural interfaith Eid Al-Adha dinner

: Al Siraat College Hosts Inaugural Interfaith Eid Al-Adha Dinner

: Al Siraat College Captain

: Al Siraat College Hifz Student

: Al Siraat College Principal Mr Fazeel Arain

: Al Siraat College Vice Captain

: Al Siraat College Vice Captain

: MP Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Noori Ahmad Interfaith Coordinator

: Islamic and Catholic Schools

Al Siraat College, the Melbourne based Islamic school celebrated the inaugural Interfaith Eid Al-Adha dinner, a momentous event dedicated to fostering unity and understanding among people of different faiths. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al-Adha is a time for reflection, gratitude, and community.

This event epitomised our commitment to unity, cultural diversity, and interfaith dialogue, focusing on the theme: “Eid Al-Adha: Unity, Solidarity, and Human Rights for Palestine.”

The evening commenced with a heartfelt recitation of the Quran by Year 6 Hifz student Khizar Nauman, setting a serene and reflective tone. Mohammad Awwady, College Captain, skilfully led the proceedings as master of ceremonies, showcasing exceptional leadership.

Organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Interfaith Student Ambassadors, the event featured an address by College Principal Mr. Fazeel, who eloquently spoke about the significance of Eid Al-Adha.

The event was graced by an esteemed array of special guests, including:

The Hon Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs;
The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Climate Action, Energy, and Resources, and the State Electricity Commission;
MP Kathleen Matthews-Ward, member for Broadmeadows;
MP Lauren Kathage, member for Yan Yean;
Gurinder Kaur, President of Whittlesea Interfaith Network (WIN);
Founders of Al Siraat College, Mr Fazeel Arain and Ms Rahat Arain.

There were about 120 attendees on the night, including different faith and community leaders, as well as representatives from the City of Whittlesea, various NGO organisations, and leaders from schools such as St Monica’s College, Al-Taqwa College, Australian International Academy of Education, and Ilim College Boys Campus, along with members of the Whittlesea Interfaith Network. They joined the school community to promote unity and understanding.

The evening featured poignant presentations:

Abdullah Mustafa, Vice-Captain Year 12, delivered a powerful poem on Palestine;
Mariam Siddiqui, Vice-Captain Year 12, spoke on the significance of Eid Al-Adha;
Yasmin Al-Asali captivated the audience with her speech “A Personal Journey Through Palestine”;
Primary School students performed an inspiring Eid Al-Adha nasheed.

Throughout the dinner, attendees had ample opportunities to network and connect with representatives from various organisations, culminating in a closing prayer by College Imam Sheikh Waseem Khan.

The success of the Eid Al-Adha dinner was made possible by the dedicated efforts of numerous individuals. We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who contributed, especially our sponsors Afiouni Sweets and Khalsa Sweets and Snacks for providing delicious treats.

The event’s success was driven by the collaborative efforts of the Al Siraat Student Leadership team, including students from the Interfaith, Media, and SRC groups, alongside the dedicated support of canteen staff, technology staff Mr Bajram Arifoski, event coordinator Ms Ayesha Malik, interfaith coordinator Ms Noori Ahmad, and many others.