Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Iwan WALTERS (Greenvale) (10:14): Ramadan mubarak. We are entering the holiest month of Ramadan for Muslims in Greenvale and indeed around the world – a sacred time of compassion, community and spiritual reflection. This has been a difficult time for the Muslim community, and I want to thank and recognise the tens of thousands of residents and vibrant mosque communities in Greenvale who live their Islamic faith through charitable works and service to others and contribute so much to our Victorian society, founded as it is on decency, harmony, mutual respect and inalienable freedoms. It is an incredible privilege to be invited to join with families, mosque communities and schools across Greenvale to break the fast at iftar dinners and to be part of a journey of faith for so many. To my friends in Greenvale and around the world, I wish you a peaceful and fulfilling holy month. Ramadan mubarak.

This week is a particularly important time for so many across Greenvale, with many eastern Christians having observed Clean Monday or Ash Monday earlier this week and others, including my family, marking Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent today. Irrespective of liturgical or doctrinal differences, Greenvale’s diverse Christian communities are united in fasting and contemplation during this Lenten period of renewal and reflection. I am grateful to represent a community where different faith traditions are deeply important to so many. The alignment of Lent and Ramadan underscores that significance while emphasising shared values of charity, compassion, peace and love.