Maurice Blackburn

A group of 130 guests from Victoria's multicultural community broke the Ramadan fast at Maurice Blackburn's second annual Iftar dinner, held in the Immigration Museum's Long Room on Tuesday night, 23 August.

The dinner, hosted by Maurice Blackburn Chairman Steve Walsh, brought together a diverse and important number of multicultural individuals and community groups and Maurice Blackburn staff.

The evening began with a welcome from Steve Walsh, then a call to prayer by Victoria Police Senior Constable Ali Gurdag, whose voice filled the enormous space of the museum.

Australian Multicultural Foundation Executive Director Hass Dellal, OAM and Maurice Blackburn Social Justice Practice Associate Lizzie O'Shea were followed by the keynote address from the two captains of the AFL Peace Team - a group of Israeli and Palestinian young men who are competing in the 2011 ALF International Cup.

The team created history in 2008, forming an AFL side of 13 Israelis and 13 Palestinians, and this year they returned to play games around the country and attend a series of events to promote their peace and reconciliation message. The highlight of the night was the team's singing of their anthem, which was met by rapturous applause.

Among the wide and diverse group of attendees were representatives from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Victoria Police, US Consulate, Australian Multicultural Foundation, Migrant Resource Centres, local governments, Islamic Council of Victoria, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Women's and Human Rights Law Resource Centre.

Mr Walsh said the Iftar dinner was a fantastic night to bring together old and new friends and it was a testament to the success of the firm's strong advocacy to work across all sections of the community.

Ramadan the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and indulging in anything excessive from sunrise until sunset for 30 days. They break their fast at sunset each day with a meal (this meal is called 'iftar'). This evening meal is a small celebration each night and traditionally shared with family and/or friends. Fasting is meant to teach those from the Islamic faith patience, modesty, the importance of sacrifice and spirituality.