Iftar at Kirribilli House: this is the Australia I'm proud to call home Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Hosting an Iftar at the prime minister’s residence can seem a very simply, purely symbolic gesture. Iftar (meaning “breaking fast”) is the first meal at the end of a day of fasting for Muslims observing Ramadan.

On Thursday night, Malcolm Turnbull invited members from the Muslim community to share an Iftar at Kirribilli House. Although some focused on the guest list, for this young woman it was significant the Iftar happened at all. As a member of a community that has been under attack and scrutiny for years, this symbolic gesture is powerful indeed. Its impact and ability to make Muslims feel welcome should not be underestimated.

Ramadan is the holiest of months for Muslims. It marks the month when the Quran was revealed, and is one of the five pillars of Islam. For 29 or 30 days of the year, Muslims will refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations between sunrise and sunset.

We are also encouraged to be as kind and forgiving as possible, give more to charity and essentially “be our best selves”. It is about empathy; getting a glimpse into what millions of those in hunger feel around the world but it is also about spiritual and physical discipline. Holding back from food is training in delayed gratification and builds a special endurance.

Malcolm Turnbull uses Iftar dinner to warn against division after Orlando massacre

Read more

Beyond the religious though, Ramadan encourages rekindled human connection. As all Muslims are breaking the fast at the same time, it becomes a month of people coming together to share food, stories and forgiveness.

Political leaders the world over have held Iftars during Ramadan as a way of connecting with Muslims. The White House has held an annual Iftar since 1996 (started by Hillary Clinton), although the first was held by Thomas Jefferson in 1805. The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, held one last week. Premiers around Australia have held Iftars for Muslims for as long as I can remember. But until this year, there has never been an Iftar held by the prime minister of Australia. Its absence spoke volumes and the implicit sentiment was clear.