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Muhammad Mehio (President ICPA)

Islamic Charity Projects Association in collaboration with other local organizations held the Sydney Eid festival at Bass Hill Sydney
(Coverage by; Sayda Fareeha, Deputy Editor Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

After being struck by the COVID cancellations of 2020, the nationally renowned Sydney Eid festival made a magnificently remarkable return.

Both Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of May 2021 marked a celebratory time for hundreds of multicultural communities to convey their great joy on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

The diverse Muslim community gathered to celebrate the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah for enabling them to fast the Islamic month of Ramadan.

For the very first time, the Islamic Charity Projects Association in collaboration with other local organizations held the Sydney Eid festival at Mclean Reserve in Bass Hill, catering for an even bigger crowd.

The event attracted tens of thousands of people from the multicultural Australian community, with food and market stalls, on-stage entertainment, chanting performances by the ICPA Chanting band, a wide range of thrilling rides, fabulous attractions for all age groups and a spectacular display of fireworks.

Although it was a celebratory event, the occasion was also marked by sorrow for the Palestinians who are currently inflicted with a trial of misery and oppression. In a show of solidarity, supplications were made to bring an end to the sufferings faced by the Palestinian people.

The event provided a renewed opportunity for Muslim leaders to call upon the Muslim and Australian community to continue to uphold the values of harmony, unity, and moderation.

The Muslim Community Radio, 2mfm with all its staff and volunteers were also pleased to provide live-event coverage of the event through its 92.1 FM airwaves. Festival goers were also invited to participate in a live quiz with the fabulous chance to win instant prizes. A raft of 2mfm giveaways were distributed to the winning participants of various on-air competitions held throughout the month of Ramadan.

The second day of the festival saw the attendance of key dignitaries and community figures including: Mr Mohammed Mehio - President of ICPA, Chairman of Darulfatwa - Dr Shaykh Salim Alwan Al-Husseiniyy, Dr Rafic Hussein - President of 2mfm ,Clr Bilal El-Hayek from Bankstown Council representing the Mayor Clr Khal Asfour, Clr Nathan Hagarty Liverpool Council, Charishma Kaliyanda Liverpool Council, Clr Rachelle Harika Bankstown Council, Clr George Zakhia Bankstown Council, Mrs Georgina Zaineddine Multicultural Community Liaison Officer Bankstown Police and Mr Neville Tomkins OAM JP - Chief Commissioner - Scouts NSW.

Many of the dignitaries were invited to share a few words that reflected their honour to be invited to ICPA’s significant multicultural festival and extended their congratulatory messages to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Many also expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian civilians and called for an end to the oppression.

Mr Neville Tomkins OAM JP - Chief Commissioner from Scouts NSW presented Mr Sultan Kahil, a valued leader from the 5th Bankstown scouts group with a special service award. We congratulate him on this incredible achievement!

All in all, the turnout of the festival was better than anticipated.
We look forward to holding the next Eid festival in celebration of Eid-ul-Adha al Mubarak.
The Islamic Charity Project Association would like to extend its gratitude to each of those who contributed to the success of the event, asking Allah to endow upon us goodness and blessings from this auspicious occasion.

Shaykh Dr. Salim Alwan

Dr Rafic Hussein

Clr Bilal El-Hayek

Councillor Nathan Hagarty

Neville Tomkins OAM JP - Chief Commissioner from Scouts NSW presented Mr Sultan
Kahil, a valued leader from the 5th Bankstown scouts group with a special service award

Clr Bilal El-Hayek, Faten El Dana, Deputy Mayor Rachelle Harika  and Sayda Fareeha

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