Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over the last few weekends I have had the pleasure of celebrating the diversity of my community of Lalor. I attended two Diwali events held in Werribee and Point Cook the weekend before last. Both showcased the great addition of the multifaith Indian cultures and traditions to our society.

Last Saturday I was very pleased to attend the National Mosque Open Day at the Virgin Mary Mosque in Tarneit. It was opened in 2004 and it proudly has members with origins including Africa, Pakistan, the Middle East, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Albania, India, Europe and Bangladesh. The open day was an opportunity for the greater community to visit, ask questions and engage with our local Muslim community.

After being welcomed by Sheik Isse Musse, Mohamed Masood and his wife Sithi Zhairi, I was fortunate to participate in a tour led by Ramzi Elsayed. It was wonderful to see how this community has embraced and contributed to my local area. Sarah Sabah and Sheik Ajward also conducted tours for the numerous visitors. I congratulate all the organisers of this event and those held across Australia. It really is a way for us to get to know one another and to see what is the same about us rather than stressing the differences.