Hundreds of women celebrated Eid Al Fitr together in Dandenong North.
Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria and Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights held the event at Menzies Hall on Friday 15 July to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of personal reflection through worship.
Gula Bezhan, from Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria, said the evening was only for women and children because so many Afghans in Dandenong were without their partners.
She said it was a chance for them to dress up and make friends.
The event included food, music, henna, a jumping castle and face-painting.
Non-profit annecto sponsored the celebration.
“Events like Eid al Fitr and an event the community held earlier in the year to celebrate Nowruz – Afghan New Year – give women and their young children a place to socialise, celebrate, dance, eat and have fun together,” CEO Estelle Fyffe said.
Case manager Farida Bezhan said, annecto which provided culturally appropriate services to help older people stay at home and connected to community, was reaching out to the Afghan community.
“We have Afghani workers who understand the culture and the language and are able to help people in a way that makes them feel comfortable,” she said.
