Community brought together in the spirit of Ramadan
By Natasha Fujimoto
MUCH lauded for its unique, multicultural profile, Greater Shepparton is one of Australia’s most ethnically diverse regional centres in the country.
While ethnic diversity has brought both economic growth and as well as cultural vibrancy to the region for well over 100 years, migration continues to be as strong as ever today, further diversifying and enriching our collective, cultural tapestry.
With flourishing cultural diversity, however, there is always work to be done in forging new and ever-stronger relationships between groups, agencies, levels of government and between religious institutions.
Culture & Co is a social enterprise innovated by Mohammed Yassin, dedicated to delivering cultural training and consulting services to government agencies and service providers.
Advocating the belief that cultural celebrations can be vehicles for bringing people together and creating spaces for human connections, Culture & Co proudly presented a Iftar event at the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) on Tuesday, April 18.
Bringing together more than 120 people representing faith and cultural communities, service providers, government agencies and political offices, a meal was shared in the spirit of Ramadan.
Share a meal, make a connection, and build partnerships, was the theme of the Iftar event and was a resounding success, with Mr Yassin hoping to orchestrate an even bigger event next year.
With most of Shepparton’s four Islamic mosques represented at the event, Mr Yassin thanked sponsors, including the Ethnic Council, La Trobe University, Greater Shepparton City Council, SAM and many more.
“It was great to have Kim O’Keeffe, Sam Birrell and mayor, Cr Shane Sali joining us, and a big thank you to Hakan Akyol PSM and Sarmed Yassin.
“Thanks, must also be given to Mustafa Abbasi for his inspiring speech and to Camille El Feghali who made the night come to life with his amazing Islamic music performance on the Qanoon and the Nay. I would also like to thank Donna Baldwin, for her support throughout the night,” Mr Yassin said.
