Australia's first hijab-clad police officer celebrates Ramadan by breaking the fast with a traditional Iftar dinner
- Sergeant Maha Sukkar joined the annual Iftar dinner in Melbourne's north-east
- The police officer became the first woman to wear a hijab in Australia in 2004
- The victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings were also commemorated
- Key guests included New Zealand police and a member of the Al-Noor mosque
Australia's first hijab-clad police officer has marked Ramadan by breaking the fast with a traditional Iftar dinner.
Sergeant Maha Sukkar joined the annual meal, hosted by Victoria Police Muslim Association (VPMA) at the UMMA Centre on Thursday in Doncaster.
The senior constable made history in 2004 by becoming the first female officer to wear a hijab in Australia.
Sergeant Maha Sukkar (right) joined the annual dinner, hosted by Victoria Police Muslim Association (VPMA) to commemorate Ramadan
Sergeant Sukkar, VPMA's president, said Victoria was 'lucky' to have a number of 'vibrant and diverse communities'.
'It makes me proud to sit with my fellow police officers who are eager to understand our traditions and to stand side by side with us in honouring Ramadan,' she said.
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The leading Muslim officer migrated from Lebanon to Australia in 2000 and was inspired to join the police force after the September 11 attacks the next year.
Anthony (Jamal) Green from Christchurch's Al-Noor Mosque, where a gunman killed 50 Muslims praying; members of New Zealand's Muslim community and police were also key guests.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, who delivered the keynote address, mentioned the community's walk to show support for Muslims following the Christchurch mosque attacks.
'The walk signified solidarity for our Muslim colleagues as well as the community both in Australia and overseas,' he said.
'On behalf of the VPMA, I would like to wish our Muslim community and colleagues a reflective, peaceful and meaningful Ramadan,' Sergeant Sukkar said.
The leading Muslim officer migrated from Lebanon to Australia in 2000 and was inspired to join the police force after the September 11 attacks the next year
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