Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday visited a temple and a gurdwara to celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.
Albanese shared the photos of his visit donning an orange turban as he visited the Sydney Murugan Temple and Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood in the suburbs of Sydney. He also opened the newly expanded kitchen in the gurdwara.
The Australian prime minister said it was fantastic to join with the Tamil Australian community at the Sydney Murugan Temple, which has become a sanctuary for Western Sydney's South Asian Hindu community.
"Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Fantastic to join with the Tamil Australian community at the Sydney Murugan Temple today. The temple draws in people from all walks of life every day, and has become a sanctuary for Western Sydney's South Asian Hindu community," Albanese wrote on X.
He also wished on Bandi Chhor Divas as he posed with the community members and also clicking a selfie with devotees. The photos showed the Australian prime minister smiling as he posed with the community members and also clicking a selfie with devotees.
“Happy Bandi Chhor Divas! Wonderful to celebrate at Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood today and open the newly expanded kitchen, serving thousands of people every week,” he said in another post on X.
Earlier on Thursday, the Australian prime minister wished “a happy Festival of Lights to all those celebrating over the coming days”.
“This annual festival of joy, hope and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture - one embraced by Australia's diverse and vibrant society,” he wrote in a statement shared on X.
“With its celebration of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, it affirms the ideals that inspire Australians from all walks of life. The rituals and traditions of Diwali are in every way an expression of community, culture and heritage. It's a moment to enjoy the company of loved ones, and to reflect on the shared inheritance of centuries of tradition,” Albanese said.
Albanese was among several world leaders and foreign ambassadors who extended wishes on the occasion of Diwali, which was celebrated in India and by the Indian community across the world.
US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz extended his Diwali greetings to the Hindu community in India and across the world.