By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A MULTICULTURAL dinner has been set for the City of Casey’s 2016 agenda under new Mayor Sam Aziz but the night’s title of Arabic origins is under fire from Casey Councillor Rosalie Crestani.
“Why don’t we use an English word to describe the event – we are in Australia,” said Cr Crestani, who is also Deputy President of the Rise Up Australia Party.
“Why not call it a barbecue or breaking bread, why use a word that is closely associated with Islam if the mayor is not concerned with it having an Islam focus.”
The mayoral civic function schedule debate broke out at Cr Aziz’s first council meeting as mayor on Thursday 5 November.
Calling for a review of the dinner’s title, Cr Crestani thinks the name is in “poor taste”.
“Calling it an Iftar dinner puts the primary focus of the multicultural event on Islam and I think it’s disrespecting what this country has offered him (Cr Aziz) as a migrant,” she said.
In his second term as Mayor of Casey, Cr Aziz said he was not trying to single out any ethnic group or religion by choosing the title Iftar.
“I don’t think the name is important and I don’t think we should get hung up on the word,” he said.
“I come from a Christian family and the spirit of the evening will be about co-operation and harmony in the community.”
The dinner has been proposed for August or July next year, falling around the time of Ramadan which is a period of fasting and prayer for Muslims.
Cr Aziz said this calendar connection was how the title Iftar “crept in” to be inclusive of the Muslim culture.
“Iftar simply means breaking fast and the dinner will bring in many community and faith leaders from all around Casey in celebration of our multicultural community,” Cr Aziz said.
Four Oaks ward Cr Crestani said she was concerned the name would affront others.
“I think choosing this title is risking offending all other faiths including the judeo-christian community which our country was built upon,” she said.
The dinner is among six civic functions set to take place during Mayor Cr Aziz’s mayoral term and are fully funded in the council’s 2016-’17 budget.
