PM Clark attends Idul Fitri

Mon, 10/13/2008 11:39 AM  |  World

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark (speaking at the podium in the photo) participated last week in Idul Fitri celebrations in Wellington, together with some 250 Muslims living in New Zealand.

Clark said in her speech that the Muslim community had enriched New Zealand's culture and had become a valuable asset that helped the country to be a multicultural state.

Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Amris Hassan (sitting on the far left) said while the majority of the population of Indonesia were Muslim, the government did not discriminate against other religions.

"Indonesia even makes holidays of (other) major religions into national holidays," he said.

Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand president Adam Awad expressed his appreciation to the New Zealand government for its willingness to celebrate Idul Fitri with the country's Muslim population each year. -- JP

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