A fun way to promote integration

Katanning’s Islander community hosted a day of festivities, food and family fun on Saturday.

About 300 people came to the event, which aimed to showcase and share the Islanders’ culture and religion.

According to Suzee Bouquet, who organised the Katanning Islanders Family Fun Day with sister Naizah Beeza, the event had been long anticipated by Katanning residents.

“The last festival we had was two years ago after Ramadan, and since then we had so many people asking us to do it again, so that’s how the fun day came about,” she said.

The carpark outside the Katanning Mosque was bustling with stalls filled with food, produce and crafts.

More than a dozen tours of the mosque were given to curious residents.

“We wanted to open the mosque to the Katanning community because it’s always been an interest for many people in the town,” Ms Bouquet said.

“So Saturday was a great opportunity to give them a chance to check it out.”

Ms Bouquet said the hot ramen-eating competition was one of the highlights of the day.

“We also had a few local elders come and do their traditional drumming, which was really great,” she said.

“We had so much great feedback from everyone that came and we’re really looking forward to the next event.”