Indonesian students in Melbourne celebrate first Eid al-Fitr away from home

Indonesian students in Melbourne share their experience of celebrating Eid al-Fitr for the first time abroad and the traditional food that helped ease their homesickness.

Indonesian diaspora preparing for the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the KJRI Melbourne. Credit: Supplied/Rima Sundusita

LISTEN TO

Indonesian students in Melbourne celebrate first Eid al-Fitr away from home

SBS Indonesian

06:18Indonesian

Friday 20 March 2026 marked Eid al-Fitr in Australia. Many members of the Indonesian diaspora in Melbourne, including university students, gathered at the KJRI (Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia) to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Following the prayer, they enjoyed humble yet quintessential Eid dishes from Indonesia such as lontong sayur, rendang and ketupat.

SBS Indonesian spoke with three students based in Melbourne — Zahra, Venia and Yudi — who were celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Australia for the very first time. Listen to the full interview to hear their stories and messages for their families back home in Indonesia.

Yudi Phallaphi, a Master of Public Health student at the University of Melbourne (L); International students at the University of Melbourne Zahra and Venia (R). Credit: SBS Indonesian/Anne Parisianne

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Indonesian diaspora celebrates Eid al-Fitr in Sydney, easing their longing for homeland

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