The Indian High Commissioner’s Iftar dinner in Canberra brought together warmth, shared values and quiet reflection as leaders and members of Australia’s Indian-origin Muslim community gathered to mark the Holy Month. This year’s gathering included voices from different religious traditions, Indian organisations and diplomatic missions—each contributing to the evening’s message of peace, brotherhood and harmony.
India is home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world. Around 14.2% of its population identify as Muslim, amounting to over 200 million people. In Australia, Muslims of Indian origin represent a smaller but growing community. According to the 2021 census, approximately 3.2% of the national population identify as Muslim, and among Australians born in India, around 8% identify as Muslim. Most live in major cities, with larger communities found in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, Sydney’s west and southwest, and parts of Brisbane and Perth.
Ramadan is a deeply personal time for many. But when it’s celebrated publicly, especially in diplomatic circles, it gives others a rare chance to witness—and partake in—the reflective atmosphere it brings. There’s power in the pause before the fast is broken. Power in listening before speaking. And a quiet force in sitting across the table from someone whose story you may never have heard otherwise.
No Iftar is complete without food doing its silent work—nudging people closer with shared plates and the age-old ritual of passing the salt.
At a time when conversations around religion and identity are too often reduced to headlines and hashtags, events like these offer another frame. Not a perfect one—no event can fix everything—but a space where listening matters and intentions aren’t second-guessed.
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🕌@HCICanberra hosted a unifying #Iftar in #Canberra, celebrating #Ramadan with Australia's Indian-Muslims.🤝The event fostered interfaith dialogue & cultural exchange, highlighting India's 200M+ Muslim population & growing diaspora ties. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/UNpTOfFo5k
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) March 29, 2025
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