IWK

Parliament celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with community leaders

Written by IWK Bureau | Jun 13, 2019 2:16:12 PM

Minister of Ethnic Communities Jenny Salesa on Wednesday, June 12 hosted a formal Eid-ul-Fitr gathering at the Parliament in the presence of community leaders, parliamentarians and other community members.

This Eid celebration is an important part of the parliamentary events hosted for different ethnic communities by the Parliament every year.

Present at the event were representatives of Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand led by Dr Mustafa Farouk, the president, members of the Ulema board, Hilal Committee, Dawah committee etc., along with representatives from different regional Islamic Associations from different parts of the country.

“2019 Eid in Parliament brought a united Muslim community to celebrate the month of Ramadan with the Eid celebrations as it has been celebrated since 2006,” Mujeeb Syed, a community member from Auckland attending the Eid event said.

Minister for Ethnic Affairs Jenny Salesa reflected on the celebrations of Eid around the world and the one held at Mt Eden in Auckland last Thursday.

“Minister Jenny Salesa also expanded on the funding that the government had made available for the Office of Ethnic Communities, totalling some $9 million, which will be used to raise the profile of the office by employing extra staff,” community leader Anne Degia-Pala told The Indian Weekender.

“She also mentioned of the March 15 incident in Christchurch and affirmed the attendees that many countries including Turkey where she travelled along with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters acknowledged and applauded the efforts of New Zealand and how Prime Minister Jacinda Arden had shown her empathy and leadership during the difficult time following the incident,” Anne Degia-Pala added.

Dr Mustafa Farouk also spoke of the strong partnership that FIANZ has with the government, and of his trip to the holy city of Mecca where he met Muslim leaders.

He added that it is a great opportunity to build relationships and bring to New Zealand a conference of leaders next year.