A RAMADAN dinner has helped bridge the gap between Wyndham's Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Last Sunday night's dinner, hosted by Hoppers Crossing group Youth Victoria, was attended by about 500 people. Organiser Rashid Alshakshir said the event helped people understand about Muslim customs and beliefs.
"A lot of people I spoke to that were not Muslim said they learnt things they didn't know about Islam. We focused on the basics and a lot of people went home with an understanding of what the basics of Islam were," he said.
Mr Alshakshir said the dinner gave non-Muslims a chance to talk to women wearing burqas, which helped dispel stereotypes and myths. "It was a good opportunity for people to see women in burqas and go up to them and talk to them face-to-face."
Among attendees were members of Victoria and federal police, Wyndham councillors and Western Metropolitan Region MP Colleen Hartland. Ms Hartland had invited the group to meet with her again to discuss ways to bridge the gap between the two communities.