On Sunday, 11 October Affinity's President and CEO were invited to the 25th Annual Muslim Eid Festival & Fair (MEFF) VIP Reception.
At the VIP Reception, there were politician’s, councillor’s, Police, Muslim leaders and other faith leaders. After some of the Academics from the previous week's MEFF organised “Living Islam in the Contemporary Global Society Seminar” presented, Mr Phillip Ruddock Federal MP said a few congratulatory words about the MEFF committee.
Afterwards Affinity's President Mehmet Saral spoke and in his speech said that “Integration of Muslims to the wider Australian society is a necessity.. [whilst this] Eid festival over the last 25 years has definitely been a contributing factor to Muslim’s being accepted as part of wider Australian society...One of the biggest acts of integration that Muslims have initiated in Australia, particularly in the last decade, is in the intercultural and interfaith dialogue activities initiated by Affinity and others…”
After the VIP Reception was completed, the VIP’s walked behind a marching band to the Main Ceremony area and seated in the VIP seating area. At the main ceremony, Mr Laurie Ferguson MP - Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, and Mr Iqbal Patel, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils President, spoke amongst others.
Also, Bulldogs player Hazem Al Masri was on standby to sign autographs at the Festival.
