Today’s Festival has become a highlight on Sydney’s multicultural calendar; Prime Minister Julia Gillard

It is with great pleasure that I send my best wishes to everyone attending the Chand Raat Eid Festival 2012.

This year’s festival – the 14th since the inaugural Festival in 1998 – provides Australian Muslims with an opportunity to meet together in fellowship to celebrate Chand Raat or the ‘night of the moon’.

Chand Raat is an important time for Muslim people in countries throughout the world; a joyful occasion that marks the end of the challenging month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid-ul- Fitr.

Today’s Festival has become a highlight on Sydney’s multicultural calendar and provides visitors with a fun day of food, entertainment and colour. It serves the deep cultural traditions of our nation well.

In a larger sense, this is a time for the wider community to celebrate the significant contribution of Muslim Australians to shaping our nation’s identity and influencing its history. This influence is profound and has helped to make contemporary Australia the modern and vibrant nation we enjoy today.

I once again send my best wishes to everyone attending today’s Festival and trust that everyone enjoys the event.

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The Honourable Julia Gillard

Prime Minister of Australia