The Islamic holy month Ramadan started at sunrise today – at least in most places:

—–Original Message—–

From: Coalition FYI (REPS)

Sent: Tuesday, 4 October 2005 12:10 PM

Subject: Ley – Change of Date/Venue – Ramadan Iftar

Importance: High

Attention Coalition Members, Senators and Staff

Please
be advised that the Ramadan Iftar dinner, scheduled for Monday 10th
October in the Mural Hall, has been POSTPONED until TUESDAY 1st
November in the Great Hall.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

All enquiries: 02 6021 3264 (Sussan Ley’s office)

A
couple of bombs and a trio of severed heads tends to put a dampener on
dinner. Still, marks to Ley and Labor maverick Harry Quick for making
an effort:

Dear Senators and Members,

On a bi-partisan basis, we
are inviting leaders of Australia’s Muslim community to a dinner in the
Great Hall at Parliament House on Monday, 10 October 2005.

We
believe that the approaching end of the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan is
an appropriate time for Senators and Members to join with Muslim
leaders in acknowledging the important contribution they make to our
multicultural Australian community.

The dinner is to be held
from 6.30 pm to respect the daytime fasting of Muslims during this
period. The dinner will be accompanied by performances of Sufi music.

As
places are very limited, we would appreciate your early response to
Sussan Ley’s electorate office Ph: 02 6021 3264, or to Harry Quick’s
electorate office Ph: 03 6263 5155.

The cost of the dinner to Senators and Members is expected to be about $65 per head.

Yours sincerely,
Harry Quick MP Hon Sussan Ley MP
Federal Member for Franklin Member for Farrer