Afghan New Year

THE local Afghan community celebrated Nowruz, the Afghan New Year, on Monday night in Noble Park.
Afghan Australia Association of Victoria organised the celebration at the Jan Wilson Community Centre and it was attended by Chairman of Ethnic Community Council of Victoria Sam Afra, Greater Dandenong Mayor Roz Blades and about 500 guests.
“It was a very good night, full of enjoyment,” president of the Afghan Australia Association of Victoria, Abdul Khaliq Fazal said.
“It was a cultural celebration, Afghan New Year celebrations.”
Guests were treated to traditional food, dance and music and many wore traditional dress.
Mr Fazal said everyone, young and old, was dancing the national dance, including Cr Blades.
“Even I danced, and I don’t dance. But it (the dancing) was so good,” he said.
The evening of celebration showcased the multicultural society that existed in Greater Dandenong and the surrounding region, Mr Fazal said.