We will soon be in the holy month of Ramadan, and Muslims around the world will begin a month of fasting from dawn to dusk. Iftar is the meal that is taken to ritually end the day’s fast, usually shared within family and communal gatherings. Ramadan is a significant time of deep reflection and contemplation. During this time of togetherness, we remember Gazans who are displaced from their homes and separated from their families. As we reflect on the beauty of creation that sustains us, we lament the loss of land, water and clean air through war and occupation.

Muslim Collective would like to invite you to our 4th interfaith climate conscious iftar. Every year, we’ve focused our intentions and efforts on an urgent climate issue. This year our focus is on the intersection of climate change, war, and the occupation of Palestine.

What to expect

An evening of fellowship in a welcoming, multi-cultural and multi-faith environment to deepen our connection with one another and learn about this less-discussed aspect of the occupation. Together, we can solve the climate crisis and take action against injustice.

We will be launching a climate and poetry exhibition of deeply emotive, beautifully illustrated posters on the intersecting themes of war, climate change, human rights, and Palestine. These will be hung around the church hall and we invite everyone to wander around the hall and explore these themes in their own time.

We will have some short speeches from our Pitt St hosts and a Palestinian climate organiser, followed by a live performance of introspective cross-cultural folk music by Mahesh & Tapestries of Sound before we break fast.

Muslim Collective aims to make space for diverse and inclusive faith leadership. The azan, prayers and meditation will be led by queer, women and gender-diverse people. We will pray maghrib in a quiet room and we will also offer a multi-faith guided meditation in the main hall. You can participate in whatever peaceful manner that is authentic to you.

Consumption of industrially produced animal products and food waste have a high environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions. As per our tradition, snacks and dinner will be vegan/vegetarian, and this year will be catered by Little Jerusalem. To avoid food waste, please bring your own containers to take home leftover food.

Every year we pass a donation box around to raise money for a climate or justice cause. This year we will be collecting to support the urgent work and leadership of the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network.

We will celebrate Uyghur Muslim culture to close off the evening with a performance by Dilnigar Alim. Uyghur dances are communal, so we encourage you all to participate in whatever way that resonates with you, and end the evening together on a joyous note.

This iftar is funded by a grant from Multicultural NSW. The venue is wheelchair accessible. All-gender bathrooms available.

Your contribution and participation

This is an interfaith and multicultural gathering with the intention of strengthening non-violent actions in response to the greatest injustices of our time. We recognise that some people are joining us to learn, while others carry deep grief and anger from the weight of decades old oppressions. Ask genuine questions gently, and always speak from your own experience, rather than making broad statements.

We are making space for voices and expressions of faith that you might not be familiar with, and so we ask that you join us with patience and an open mind. We believe the world is big enough for all our diversities.

We will not tolerate inflammatory language or abusive behaviour towards our guests based on their faith, gender, race, sexuality, disability, or for any other discriminatory reason.

After you leave the iftar, we hope that you can stay in touch with Muslim Collective’s advocacy. Decolonisation and climate justice need global movements that we must all continue to participate in, in whatever capacity we have.

Event partners
Multicultural NSW
Pitt St Uniting Church
Indian Crescent Society of Australia
Hindus for Human Rights Australia & New Zealand