Cumberland Council to spend $50,000 on Ramadan festival
A western Sydney council will spend $50,000 for an Islamic festival at Auburn despite opposition about taking funds for a religious event from the public purse.
A western Sydney council will spend $50,000 for an Islamic festival at Auburn despite opposition about taking funds for a religious event from the public purse.
Last night, Cumberland Council debated whether a food festival to mark Iftar, the breaking of Muslims’ fast during Ramadan, should be held at Auburn or Granville.
The matter first sparked controversy in November when there were concerns the council would have to cut funds from its Australia Day celebrations in favour of Ramadan, which runs from May 5 to June 4.
The council’s general manager Hamish McNulty said no budget cuts would be made for the May 18 event in central Auburn.
A total of $15,000 would spent from existing Iftar dinner budget and $35,000 of unspent funds from its staff functions and activities budget.
But some questioned why ratepayers had to fund religious festivals following Cr Ola Hamed’s proposal for the council to host a Ramadan celebration.
Councillor Paul Garrard does not want the council to support any religious events.
“At the end of the day I don’t think it’s our place to be funding programs like this,’’ he said.
“I believe the people who make up the community that belong to the various religious sections of the community are in a wonderful position to put on their own events.
“I’ve seen us spend money on the Indian community and I really question just where do you stop spending money on things …”
Cr Ross Grove also rejected funding such events, saying Cr Hamed’s call for the council to support Ramadan was political.
“There’s been a community (in Auburn) that’s had a presence for well in advance of 30 years and this has never come up,’’ Cr Grove said.
“The reason this is disappointing is because clearly something political has happened in order to get this sort of result. This is a political hobby horse.”
Auburn is home to more than 7300 Islamic followers, or 42.8 per cent of the population.
However, Cr Lisa Lake said the faith was significant to the culture of the Cumberland community.
“I think for this council to try and divorce itself from faith-based celebrations in our community is just a false dichotomy,’’ she said.
“Our community is inextricably linked between culture and faith and if we believe we’re involved in cultural activation then I think we also have to acknowledge that faith is part of that.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Rugby history! Australia’s rare result on New Zealand soil ‘special’
Rugby’s U18s rising stars have done something few other Aussie teams have managed in recent times - completing a shock and awe mission across the ditch for two wins. Stars, result wrap
‘We are incredibly excited’: Next Gen rugby 7s women turning heads
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.