Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:59): This year’s Ramadan night market in Dandenong was a resounding success, surpassing last year’s inaugural event in every way. With over 140 stalls and more nights, including a debut in Casey, it drew twice as many people, welcoming around 700,000 attendees from across Victoria and beyond over the 16 nights of operation. This event was a testament to the power of community and cultural diversity, bringing together people from every culture and background to showcase the region’s inclusive spirit while sharing their traditions, faith and knowledge. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other dignitaries including Premier Jacinta Allan, ministers, the Consul General of India Anish Rajan and local Labor MPs attended the market along with many community and faith leaders, highlighting its significance in promoting unity and social cohesion. The market was a powerful reminder that regardless of our faith, our country of birth or the languages we speak, we all share common values: love of family, the importance of kindness and the resolve to build a more inclusive society.

At a time when division can too often dominate global headlines and conversations impacting our daily lives, events like this remind us that harmony is not only possible, it is already thriving here in Victoria. Organised by the Bright Community Organisation team led by Ahmad Ghowsi alongside Ali Ibrahimi, Hassan Maqsoodi and Ibrahim Hassan, the Ramadan night market embodies the spirit of Ramadan, celebrating the values of generosity, empathy and community, and we thank them for their passion, dedication and vision. As we look to the future, this event serves as a beacon of hope inspiring us to strive for a more inclusive and harmonious society and to do all we can to ensure its enduring legacy. Thank you to the organisers, volunteers, sponsors, traders and all those who attended, making this event the resounding success that it was, and I look forward to supporting this initiative to make it even better next year and in the years to come.