Brimbank Community Welcome Dinner

Welcome Dinners connect newly arrived people including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international students with established Australians over a potluck-style meal in a family home or a trusted community space.

In association with Brimbank City Council, and to mark Refugee Week 2017, joiningthedots will be hosting a special Community Welcome Dinner to break the fast together and to learn more about the diverse cultural and faith traditions in Brimbank. In recognition of the religious observance of local Muslim communities, this Ramadan Iftar event will commence at 5pm with a short ceremony by a Muslim community leader.

This Community Welcome Dinner will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life and different cultures to share great food, to make new connections in their own neighbouhood, and to celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging.

Entry is FREE and everyone is invited to come along. Please bring your favourite dish or one traditional to your culture to share, “pot luck style”, with the other people who will be seated at your table. You will be asked to tell a short story about your dish as a way of introducing yourself to your table mates.

This is a family friendly event and no alcohol will be served.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Iftar and why is it significant for the community?

Iftar is the traditional sundown meal that breaks the Ramadan fast observed by Muslims around the world this month. The event begins with a call to the maghreb (evening) prayers by a local imam, followed by a prayer. Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar, is a special time for the Muslim community. As a most blessed month, it is a time for reflection, prayer, renewal of faith and is a time spent with family. Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining totally from food, drink and smoking to complete one of the five pillars of Islam and to achieve greater self-discipline, self-purification, and compassion for those less fortunate.

Why is a public Iftar event being organised?

Holding a public Iftar dinner is a way to bring together our Muslim and non-Muslim community to learn more each other’s faith and beliefs. It is also an important way to help people of different faiths and beliefs feel welcomed and valued in the community.

What if I would like to come to the dinner, but am unable to make it at 5pm?

You are still welcome to come! As this is a special Iftar Community Welcome Dinner, Iftar will be announced at 5:09pm followed by breaking the fast with milk and dates, which everyone is welcome to share in. The official meal will be opened around 5:30pm, with time to mingle and share with other guests in the time leading up to this, and separate room for prayer being provided. The dinner will officially close at 7:30pm but guests are welcome to keep mingling and eating for some time afterwards.

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

St Albans Community Centre is easily accessible by public transport - it is a 4 minute walk from St Albans Station (Sunbury Line) and Bus Interchange, as well as bus routes 408 and 419. Parking is available near Woolworths and the Centre.

What if I can’t communicate well in English?

The purpose of the Welcome Dinner Project is to come together in spite of barriers such as language, and exchange in other ways. If you prefer to communicate in a language other than English, please let us know when registering and we will do our best to find an interpreter for you.

Should I bring a main dish or a dessert?

You are welcome to bring either, or both. Keep in mind that there will be limited ovens/microwaves in the venue to heat multiple hot dishes at once. You will be contacted by a facilitator before the event and can discuss this with them.

I have a food allergy. How will this be catered for?

As part of the introductions at each table, guests will be asked to state the ingredients in their dish. Everyone is encouraged to be aware of their own allergies or dietary requirements and not to risk anything they are not sure of. Any severe allergies that we have been informed about before hand will be brought to everyone’s attention.

Will there be alcohol?

Our events are alcohol free.

Can children attend?

Children are very welcome and are invited to take part in all aspects of the dinner, but they must be supervised by their own parent / guardian at all times. There will be a dedicated space for children with childcare workers provided also. Please register the details of the children you intend to bring when you register yourself.

What if I have other questions?

All registered participants will be sent further guidelines prior to the event. This is why we ask for your email address. Registered participants will also be contacted by phone in the week leading up to the event. Any questions not answered by the guidelines can be responded to at that stage.

The Welcome Dinner Project connects newly arrived people including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international students with established Australians over a shared meal, usually in a family home or trusted community space.

In partnership with Brimbank City Council: