22nd Annual Ramadan Dinner promotes peace harmony and solidarity

The Islamic Charity Projects Association (ICPA) magnificently hosted its 22nd distinguished Annual Ramadan Dinner on Friday 26 June at Al Amanah Grand Hall in Liverpool with the aim of propagating the seeds of harmony, compassion and solidarity with the broader Australian community. 

The event played host to many distinguished guests including:

Governor of New South Wales David Hurley AC DSC,

Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott MP, represented by Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten MP represented by Laurie Ferguson Member for WerriwaLeader of the Opposition for NSW Luke Foley MP

Philip Ruddock MP Federal Member for Berowra, Jason Clare MP Federal Member for Balxland, Chris Hayes MP Federal Member for Fowler

Tania Mihailuk, MP for Bankstown, John Robertson MP for Blacktown, Greg Warren MP for Campbelltown, Jihad Dib MP for Lakemba, Paul Lynch MP for Liverpool, Tony Issa former MP of Granville

Senator Shaoquett Moselmane MLC

Consul-General of Pakistan Abdul Aziz, US Consulate Matthew Lloyd LEE, Honarary Consul-General OF Bangladesh Anthony Khouri,

Mr Nic Kaldas deputy commissioner of New South Wales Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli, Superintendent Dave Eardley Bankstown Local Area Command, Superintendent Peter Gillam Liverpool Local Area Command, Insp Michael Moroney.

Councilor Ali Karnib Liverpool council, Councilor Naji Najjar Bankstown council, Councilor Tony Hadchiti Liverpool council, community leaders and Imams, and Local Media representatives.

Also in attendance were members of community organizations including 5th Bankstown Scout Group, Muslim Women’s Welfare of Australia, Muslim Youth of Truth, Spears Sports Club, Al Ashraf Society of Australia, El Minieh Association, Bhanin Menie Association, The United Australian Lebanese Movement, Beirut Association, Amal Movment , Lakemba Islamic Association, Sufi Society, Kids Club, Islamic Association of Auburn, Muslim Society of Liverpool, Lakemba Islamic Association and Islamic Janaza Association.

The evening officially commenced with a peaceful recitation from the holy Qur’an by his eminence Sheikh Samir Dabliz. This was followed by a performance of the Australian National anthem.  

President of the Islamic Charity Projects Association, Dr. Ghayath El-Shelh OAM highlighted the great success of the Islamic Charity Projects Association in providing services to all levels of the community including the youth, men and women, fulfilling not only their religious and educational needs, but also providing access to media, sports, and many more.

Among of what Dr Al-Shelh said was the following: “Since its establishment in 1989, the ICPA has made an exceptional and integral difference as a role model for the Muslim leadership in Australia. This fact is related to its noble aim and objectives and the sound environmental observation and vision of the future”

He added: “A timely example of the eagerness of the ICPA is the fight against terrorism and the ideologies that nourish radical behavior. For more than 25 years, your association in Australia has been identifying radical movements and ideologies and countering them with positive strategies and services.”

Chairman of Darulfatwa- Islamic High Council of Australia, Dr. Sheikh Salim Alwan Al-Husainiyy stressed on the importance of obtaining religious knowledge from trustworthy scholars which will serve to enlighten ones heart and mind with goodness, peace and self-discipline. Spreading the pure Islamic teachings is extremely important in fighting terrorism and securing Australia’s future. Sheikh Alwan concluded his speech with the saying of Prophet Muhammad that “the believer will not reach a high level in Islam, unless he loves for Muslims and non-Muslims what he loves for himself, from among the goodness.”

Speeches were then delivered by representatives of Federal and State Governments who commended and praised the success and noble achievements of the Islamic Charity Projects Association and wishing them further success.

General David Hurley Governor of New South Wales stated:

“I congratulate the Islamic Charity Projects Association on your Arabic and English language classes and educational projects including this school and your cultural and community service to the people of the Islamic community and the wider community of NSW”.

“I thank you for your leadership, your courage and encourage you in your call for all Muslims to join hands together against extreme ideologies, to enrich and merge positively with the fabric of multicultural Australia” Mr. David Hurley said.

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General relayed a short message from the Prime Minister Mr. Abbott who acknowledged the Muslim Australians tremendous contribution in this country.

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells also had a few words of her own to deliver to the guests:

“Our vibrant society owes much to the hard work of organizations like the Islamic Charity Projects Association”

“Can I take this opportunity to congratulate you for all your work in operating religious, education, welfare and radio broadcasting services and these efforts play a significant role in our social cohesion” She said.

Laurie Ferguson Member for Werriwa conveyed a short message from the Federal leader of the opposition Bill Shorten that read:

“Ramadan highlights the proud and important contribution Australian Muslim communities have made to our rich multiculturalism and our economic prosperity”

“I also take the opportunity to thank the Islamic Charity Projects Association for its outstanding work, building social cohesion and community harmony”

Mr. Ferguson also acknowledged the success of the Islamic Charity Projects Association by saying: “This assembly tonight is far wider and inclusive than many other iftars. The fact that it is 22 years old puts it up there with the first community iftars in this country”

“I say the ICPA has been the forefront of giving a better vision of the Islamic community to the wider society of this country”

The speeches continued with Mr. Phillip Ruddock MP Federal member for Berowra giving a short word. 

 “I am particularly proud of the leadership role that your organization is taking at what is a very difficult time for our nation”

He also recognized the tremendous contribution that the ICPA has made so far in conquering terrorism and affirmed the importance of not judging Islam on the basis of the errant actions of a few people.

“It needs to be very clear and be said that there is no scope and it is quite inappropriate to be blaming the Islamic community for the actions of a few. That doesn’t mean to say that collectively we can’t work together to minimize the potential danger for our society and that is something that we are about, it is something that you are undertaking and I am proud of you for that leadership role” 

The iftar dinner made strong contribution in strengthening the expression of community togetherness, solidarity and social harmony.

The Islamic Charity Projects Association thanks all those that contributed to the success of the night and asks Allah for their wellbeing and blessing.