Five days after 49 people were slain in the targeted terrorist attack on the LGBTI community in Orlando, Florida, Mr Turnbull hosted an Iftar fast-breaking dinner, a tradition of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at his official Sydney residence.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appealed for unity as “one Australian family” in the face of terror attacks such as the Orlando massacre, telling a Ramadan gathering at Kirribilli House that the broader Muslim community should not be blamed for the acts of minority extremists.
Five days after 49 people were slain in the targeted terrorist attack on the LGBTI community in Orlando, Florida, Mr Turnbull hosted an Iftar fast-breaking dinner, a tradition of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at his official Sydney residence.
It is believed to be the first Iftar hosted by an Australian prime minister and Mr Turnbull used a speech to acknowledge the important contribution that Muslims have made to Australian society.
The dinner’s multi-faith guestlist included Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly, sociologist Dr Susan Carland, Hass Dellal from SBS, AFL footballer Bachar Houli from Richmond FC, and Ali Fahour from the AFL, as well as Islamic organisation leaders.
Mr Turnbull spoke of the anxiety among many Muslim Australians about the backlash caused by the “violent acts of a small minority of extremists who defame and blaspheme against their faith and for which their entire community is often blamed”.
“The aim of extremists, including those committing violence through a warped and nihilist interpretation of religion is to divide us and to turn our citizens against each other – but we will not let them win,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Acts of terror like Sunday’s massacre in Orlando are perpetrated to divide us along lines of race, religion, sect and sexuality – but that kind of hatred and division must not prevail.
“We must stand together like we do tonight as one Australian family united against terrorism, racism, discrimination and violence.”
Following the dinner, Mr Turnbull was interviewed by Aly on Channel Ten’s The Project, revealing how much he enjoyed the taboulleh and fattoush and praised the “energy”, “patriotism” and “enthusiasm” on show.
“We are the most successful multicultural society in the world. We are all enriched by our diversity. So, Muslim Australians are an integral part of Australia and so why not [host an Iftar]?”, he said.
“Get together, share a meal, we had people – Australians from every faith here: Christians, Jews, Buddhists. The whole diversity of Australia was represented here tonight at a meal breaking the fast, so important to Muslim Australians.”
