Thursday, 3 April 2025

Chaldean Babylonian and Assyrian New Year

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (10:06): It was an absolute joy to attend the Assyrian New Year of 6775 with the honourable Michael Sukkar and Usman Ghani, the Liberal candidate for Calwell, in Craigieburn this past weekend. I would like to thank the Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Benyamin Elya and the organising committee of the Assyrian New Year Festival, Melbourne, including my friend Joseph Haweil, organisations and many reverend fathers and faith leaders who joined so many – over 4000 across the day – to make it such a success. I have been proud to work with this community proactively, to be their voice in the Victorian Parliament to defend faith, family and culture.

It was a joy to attend Akitu 2025, Chaldean Babylonian New Year 7325, to celebrate the rich Chaldean culture and history at St George Chaldean church in Campbellfield. Thank you to Vic.Talk, Ayad Youkhana, the Chaldean League Melbourne, the Upfield football club and the Chaldean Federation of Australia for putting on such an incredible celebration. It was terrific to celebrate with our very own Chaldean Hume councillor Sam Misho, Dr Amer Maloka, Michael Yousif and Wally Hanna, and also reverend fathers Fr Paul Minkana, Fr Thair al-Sheikh and Fr Mahir Murad. I would like to thank the Chaldean community for their friendship over the last couple of years. I have been proud to be their voice in the Parliament defending faith, family and culture.