Sunday, December 4, 2016

Speech delivered at the ICV dinner on 20 Nov 2016

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘alameen wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala sayyidna Muhammad wa’ala Aalihi Wasahbihi Ajma’een

My respects to the original custodians of f the land.

The Hon Robin Scott MP, Minister for multicultural affairs,
Sir James Gobbo, former governor of Vic and chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation,
the Hon. Sen Richard Di Natale, leader of the Greens
His Excellency the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammad,
Dr. Mohamad Mohideen chairman of the ICV,
members of the ICV executive committee,
Br. Hass Dellal, executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation,
my fellow AFIC Executive Br. Kazim Ates,
distinguished guests brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen.

Assalamu Alaykum

I would like to echo the concerns of Greens leader Richard Di Natale in relation to the draconian control orders, I am aware of a little boy who is 12 years of age who is monitored under these types of orders.

Thank you to the ICV for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate the ICV for another successful year of service and dedication to the community.

Apart from a few news faces, hardly anyone would suspect that the ICV has had a comprehensive change in the committee membership.  

This is to your credit that the ICV can transition whilst maintaining its core activities.  Well done.

The ICV has for many years been our most active, most effective and most successful state Islamic council and we, at Muslims Australia – AFIC are very proud of your achievements.

I am proud yet humbled today to be speaking at the dinner of such a well-functioning and diverse body.

There is an added privilege that this dinner is in honour of a great Muslim Australian, the late, much loved, Sh. Fehmi El Imam, the former Grand Mufti of Australia.

The ICV has become a benchmark for Muslim organisations around Australia.

Muslims Australia – AFIC is committed to continue supporting the ICV to help you grow to even greater success.

AFIC is a national body, I am from Sydney leading this great national umbrella organization.  Despite being from Sydney, rather than feeling the age-gold Sydney Melbourne rivalry, I confess that I in fact advise all new member societies that if they wish to excel, they need to start by getting some pointers from the ICV.

A little about Muslims Australia AFIC, for those who do not know, we are the peak national umbrella body for Australian Muslims.  I was recently elected to the responsible service role at the helm of AFIC.  My new committee and I are committed to unify our community and enhance our services to society.

We are open to criticism, ideas and advice.

We are so appreciative of input that we are also graceful in the face of abuse and respond with complete dignity and humility.

We have a grand vision for our community and for society.  We will only succeed if we unite in the face of our challenges.

This year, we’re further blessed through the rise of those who provoke profound interest in Islam and Muslims.

Our work is cut out for us, we can create harmony in a nation that years to again celebrate its wonderful multicultural identity.

Let’s rise to the challenge together with a collective will and with collective energies.


Congratulations and God bless –