In the process much was learnt about the faith of Islam, the significance of Ramadan, but importantly it was a time to meet new people, talk about each other's customs, share food and enjoy the multicultural society that Ararat has become.

It also provided an opportunity for `non-Muslims' to seek answers to question that perhaps they have been too afraid to ask. The relaxed atmosphere meant that no questions were off limits.

Members of Ararat's Muslim community and their guests from other Muslim communities were only too happy to provide explanations to many a question and everyone who attended the dinner walked away with a better understanding of another faith and culture.

Guests at the dinner included Sheikh Belal Assaad and his wife Zena, Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Yasser Soliman, comedian Nazeem Hussain and representatives from the Islamic Council of Victoria.

A Quran reading and translation was provided by Sheikh Belal Assaad, who also provided an explanation of fasting and its social significance.

Ramadan is the traditional month during the year in which all Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset each day.

The Iftar dinner to which the Ararat community was invited was a dinner to `break the fast' for that day and a traditional one which the Muslim community enjoys.

Sheikh Assaad said the Holy Month of Ramadan is usually between 29 and 30 days and is determined according to the lunar calendar.

He said that what fasting does is help a Muslim `grow to become a better person'.

''During the fasting process a person goes through a process of deep thinking,'' he said.

At this time of fasting Muslims are encouraged to do good works, help people in need and think about those less fortunate.

''But the most important thing is is to return to good character after Ramadan,'' Sheikh Assaad said.