By JASMINE SHEPARD

The Monash University community is building a multicultural community on campus through food and conversation, Monash Islamic Society president Abdulah Hamimi says.

“Through this platform, we are able to interact with the community," he said.

"We are able to dispel people’s thoughts on our culture, and get people to understand ideas and concepts of Islam. That’s really one of our main objectives.”

Mr Hamimi said the inform platform, where students could interact with a Muslim and ask any questions, was important for the culture and dismissing clichés.

“We are bringing people together and creating conversation, and promoting the values that the Islamic Society represents.”

The HSP Fest, hosted by the Islamic and Lebanese societies at Monash, celebrated the university’s diversity and inclusion week.

With more than 5000 students interested in the event on Facebook, and about 1000 students in attendance, the event spiked significant attention in the Monash community.

 Lebanese Society president and Monash Student Association people of colour officer Hadi Saab said spreading awareness was the aim. 

“It’s really about celebrating multiculturalism on campus, specifically the Lebanese and Islamic cultures, and spreading awareness for all the different cultures we have.”

Many students in attendance were aware and involved in diversity and inclusion week and were supportive of the initiative.

Monash student Delina Pham said the event was extremely important for the communit

“I think this is a great event, because everyone is familiar with halal snack packs, but maybe people aren’t familiar with the culture behind it.”

However, not all students who attended the HSP event were aware that the event was promoting cultural diversity.

“(It’s promoting) how good HSPs are, to be honest,” student Bayley said.

Despite the significant turnout, students were willing to wait for prolonged periods and some event missed out.

“I waited for about 45 minutes and then gave up,” student Matthew Darling said.

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. I think most people knew it was going to be an extremely popular event, and went anyway.”

Mr Darling said it was an important event and said it was very successful, as “everybody loves free food”.