On behalf of the ACT Government and the ACT Labor Party I wish Canberra’s Muslim community a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.

I want to acknowledge that this year’s Ramadan comes at a particularly difficult time with social distancing measures in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, and with much regret, the ACT Government has had to cancel our Ramadan Iftar event which we usually hold in respect of this important occasion.

I know that COVID-19 is having also a significant impact on the community and families’ ability to come together during this time for prayer or to observe Iftar, and to engage socially with your community.

I hope that you are still able to observe this important occasion this year, perhaps a little differently than usual, but still with the same spirit, and by staying connected with your community and your family in other ways.

This year’s Ramadan reminds us more than ever to be grateful for what we have – and to support others who are doing it tougher than us and to make sure they are included.

I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity of our Muslim community here in Canberra in reaching out to support those vulnerable people who have lost work and those who need extra support to get through the pandemic.

We’ll get through this very difficult time by practicing Muslim values, by acting in peace, compassion and with love.

On behalf of the ACT Government and the ACT Labor Party I wish Canberra’s Muslim Community all the best during this Ramadan.

Ramadan Kareem.

Chris Steel MLA
Minister for Multicultural Affairs