Diwali Reflects Core Values Celebrated by Australians, PM Anthony Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday described Diwali as an "extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture" that inspires Australians from all walks of life.

"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," Albanese said in his Diwali greetings.

"With its joyous celebration of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, it reiterates the ideals that inspire Australians from all walks of life. In all respects, the rituals and traditions of Diwali represent community, culture and heritage. It is an occasion to share happy moments with family and friends and ponder the common inheritance of generations," he added.

This festival of lights, joy, hope, and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture-one that Australia's diverse and vibrant society embracess," said the Australian Prime Minister in his Diwali message to the Indian community in Australia.

As families and friends gather in homes, parks, temples, and community centers across our country, let the bright lights of this precious festival bring you peace and joy. To all those who celebrate, I wish you a great Diwali, he said.

The New Zealand Prime Minister also wished all celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.

"Happy Bandi Chhor Divas. Wishing those celebrating the Festival of Lights a meaningful, vibrant, and joyful Diwali!" he posted on X.

Earlier this week, the White House also hosted a Diwali reception with US President Joe Biden reflecting on how the South Asian American community has enriched every part of American life.

Today in America, we celebrate that journey of light. Earlier in our nation's history, generations before you lit a diya in the shadow of suspicion. Now in our time, Diwali is celebrated openly and proudly here in the White House," he said.