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span class="caption" style="width: 468px;">Bob Carr: JP/J. AdigunaAustralian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has sent best wishes to Muslims in Australia and around the world as the fasting month of Ramadhan begins this week.

“Ramadhan is a time of prayer and reflection for Muslims. It’s a time to reflect on the wisdom and guidance that for many people comes with faith.

It is also an opportunity for families and friends to come together, and to promote goodwill and harmony in the wider community,” he said in a statement sent to
The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Australia is home to nearly half a million Muslims and Islam is the country’s fourth largest religion. The Australian Muslim community is diverse and is drawn from over 60 different ethnic backgrounds.

Carr, who was appointed foreign minister in March after replacing Kevin Rudd, said the Australian government was actively engaging with Muslim communities around the world and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue with many of Australia’s close and important partners, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Gulf States and Egypt.

In his first speech to the Australian Parliament on March 21, Carr spoke about the importance of fostering the ‘overlap of cultures’ and encouraging racial and religious tolerance. “I will continue to promote these values,” he added.