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The first time I experienced Ramadan in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ was in 2000, whenÌýI arrived in Riyadh to begin my first diplomatic posting as secondÌýsecretary at the Australian Embassy.

For the next three years, IÌýenjoyed observing Ramadan with family and friends in Riyadh, Makkah and Madinah at iftars and suhoors, at Taraweeh, and then closing theÌý month by celebrating Eid Al-Fitr. Ìý

I returned to the Kingdom in June 2018 as the ambassador of Australia, and I feel very honored to have another opportunity to experience Ramadan in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ with new friends and colleagues. Ìý

The sacred month of Ramadan serves as a season of inner reflection,Ìý forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

It gives those who are fasting anÌý important opportunity to stop and think about what is taken forÌý granted, refocus their minds on faith, and redirect their hearts toÌý charity, so that they can understand the lives and experiences of thoseÌý who are less fortunate than them. Ìý

Ramadan is a special time of service and support for those in need, andÌý also a time to join with family and friends in celebration ofÌý our common humanity. The practice of breaking bread, sharing food across religions andÌý bringing people of diverse backgrounds together, establishes linksÌý across cultural communities and builds new bonds of understanding.

Ramadan is also an important time of the year for Australia’s 600,000 Muslims. They and non-Muslims gather together at Ramadan iftarsÌý throughout the country, and share in the spirit of fasting and giving.Ìý

There is a vibrant, festive atmosphere during Ramadan — inÌý Sydney, for instance, there is a suburb called Lakemba which has a very large IslamicÌý community, made up of Muslims from all corners of the globe, including the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Lakemba hosts a month-long food festival called Ramadan Nights. Food vendors cook on the footpath, with crowds flocking down the main street to break their fast with a wide variety of traditional and international cuisines. This event attracts large numbers ofÌý Australians, including many non-Muslims. It is a wonderful example of how Ramadan brings people together in a spirit of friendship.

ÌýIt truly is a special month, and on behalf of my family and allÌý the staff at the Australian Embassy, I would like to sincerely wishÌý everyone a happy, safe and blessed Ramadan.

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• Ridwaan Jadwat is the Australian ambassador to º£½ÇÖ±²¥, and specialÌý envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.