There are not many moments in public life where people of different faiths, cultures, and professions come together simply to sit at the same table, listen to one another, and share a meal.
Yet this is exactly what Ramadan has done for generations. It has created spaces where conversation replaces suspicion, hospitality replaces distance, and people are reminded of their shared humanity.
For this reason, Ramadan can be understood not only as a month of fasting, but as a form of civilisation. It is a civilisation of the heart, where dignity is protected, humanity comes before difference, and peace becomes possible.
On Wednesday 11 March 2026, the Parliament of New South Wales became a small reflection of that civilisation when the Affinity Intercultural Foundation hosted its 17th Parliamentary Iftar Dinner.
More than 250 guests filled the chamber, representing different faiths, cultures, professions, and walks of life. What defined the evening was not simply the diversity in the room, but the spirit in which people gathered.
The evening was guided by Master of Ceremonies Nick Lowther, Local Manager of ABC Radio Sydney, who led the program with warmth and sincerity, setting the tone for an evening grounded in reflection, dialogue, and friendship.
Proceedings began with an Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Walangari Karntawarra, Arrernte Elder and member of Affinity’s Advisory Board, who reminded guests that peace cannot be separated from justice and that dignity must be upheld for all people.
Early reflections were shared by Bilal Rauf, Barrister and Senior Advisor to the Australian National Imams Council, and Rabbi George Mordecai, Director of Liturgy at Emanuel Synagogue.
Both spoke about compassion, justice, and moral responsibility, particularly in times when social cohesion is tested. Their reflections reminded the audience that while traditions and beliefs may differ, the values that sustain society are deeply shared.
The co-hosts of the evening, The Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, Mr Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, and Ahmet Polat, Executive Director of the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of social cohesion and the responsibility shared by all communities in building a peaceful and united society.
During his welcoming remarks, Ahmet Polat spoke of a childhood shaped by coexistence, where a synagogue, a church, and a mosque stood side by side, and where difference was not something to be negotiated, but simply lived.
From his elders, he said, he was given a simple piece of advice: “Take a bowl of hope wherever you go.”
As guests departed that evening carrying Turkish hand-painted ceramic bowls, they carried more than a gift. They carried a reminder that hope begins within the individual, is carried into the home, and from there is passed gently to others and into the wider community.
As the time came to break the fast, the call to prayer was delivered in the chamber by Bilal Kilic, Community Engagement Coordinator of Galaxy Foundation, followed by a beautiful Qur’an recitation by Imam Mogamat Majidih Essa, the Royal Australian Navy’s first Imam and Muslim chaplain.
In that moment, the Parliament was no longer simply a place of politics, but a place of reflection, gratitude, and shared humanity.
The keynote address was delivered by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett APM, who reflected on integrity, cooperation, and the importance of trust between institutions and communities.
She reminded guests that lasting peace and security are not built through policies alone, but through relationships, trust and shared responsibility.
Guests also heard a heartfelt reflection from Ismail Ibrahim of the Australian Red Cross, who spoke about the Meaning of Ramadan as a time that calls people back to empathy, unity, and kindness in a world that often pulls us toward division.
A defining moment of the evening came with the recognition of the Guest of Honour, Ahmed Al Ahmed, whose courage in the Bondi tragedy reminded the nation that in moments of crisis, humanity must come before fear, and that the instinct to protect others is one of the highest expressions of our shared human dignity.
During the evening, a spiritual musical performance by the Three Rivers Ensemble created a moment of calm and reflection, gently moving the room into a shared sense of stillness.
The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Leanne Smith, Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission, who reflected on dignity, human rights, and the shared responsibility we all hold in caring for one another and protecting the social fabric that allows diverse communities to live together in peace.
As guests departed the Parliament that evening, what remained was not simply the memory of speeches or formalities, but a quiet reminder that in this fragile world, choosing to gather is an act of courage, choosing to listen is an act of respect, and choosing to sit together despite differences is, in itself, an act of peace.
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