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Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts

Monday, October 18, 2010

Leaders Who Stand Tall in the Face of Global Challenges

A section of the audience



Imam Ahmad Azhary commencing the event with Qur'an recitation


Pupils from the school singing the Australian National Anthem


K Trad presenting a plaque of appreciation to Mr. Saad Al Shumaimry, director general of the Muslim World League office for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Saad Al Shumaimry participated by opening the event.


K Trad addressing the audience


his grace Archbishop John Bathersby addressing the audience


his grace bishop Jonathan Holland addressing the audience


his grace Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari addressing the audience


Rev. Peter Rama Rau presenting a prayer


The question and answer panel included the speakers and Mr. Saad Alshumaimry and his Excellency the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Mr. Adnan Jaafar



The two MCs Ms. Tara Vonthethoff and Mrs. Mariam Najibah


The MCs receiving flowers and other gifts of appreciation from Caucus Secretary and State member for Burleigh Mrs. Christine Smith MP.


K Trad persenting plaques of appreciation to Mr. Saad Al Shumaimry and his Excellency the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Mr. Adnan Jaafar

Summary of the event:

For the first time on the Gold Coast, a symposium brought together senior leaders from the Catholic, Anglican and Muslim faiths to showcase interreligious cooperation, friendship and goodwill as faith leaders address the challenges of modern society.

Chaired by school head teacher Mariam Najibeh and her colleague Tara Vonthethoff, the meeting witnessed a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Sh. Ahmad Al Azhary and a singing of the National Anthem before being officially opened by Dr. Saad Al-Shumaimry the director of the Muslim World League for Australia and the Pacific. Dr. Al-Shumaimry impressed upon the audience the efforts of his Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Aal Saud in the promotion of interfaith dialogue.

Islamic Friendship Association of Australia president Br. Keysar Trad welcomed the audience which included his Excellency Adnan Jaafar the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam and Queensland Caucus Secretary and member for Burleigh Mrs. Christine Smith MP.

His Grace the Right Reverend Archbishop John Bathersby of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane spoke about the Greatness of God and reminded the audience that what we have is from the grace of God and added that it would make a great difference to the world if we would all strive to be more loving towards our fellow human beings.

His Grace, the Right Reverend Bishop Jonathan Holland representing the Anglican Primate of Australia highlighted the sameness in hopes and aspirations between Muslim and Christian families, a sameness he has personally experienced from interacting with Muslim families and added that God does indeed love every human being. He stressed what a wonderful world it would be if we could all be true ambassadors of our respective faiths and if we reclaimed some of our traditional hospitality.

In his speech on behalf of the Muslim community, Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhary emphasised that we have a great deal in common as believers in God and he quoted the verse from the Holy Qur’an inviting the Christians and Jews to “a common word”. He added that we all have a responsibility to clear the name of religion from the various slurs and he cited the example of Prophet Abraham as he engaged in interfaith dialogue.

Rev. Peter Rama Rau from the University of Queensland Chaplaincy, who assisted in organising the event contributed with a Christian prayer and spoke about the importance of getting together for interfaith friendship and dialogue.

His Excellency Adnan Jaafar thanked the speakers and the organisers before participating with Dr. Saad Al-Shumamiry and Mrs. Christine Smith MP in handing out the plaques and flowers to the speakers and the two chairpersons.

In his summary of the evening’s proceeding, our brother Keysar Trad congratulated Archbishop Bathesby, the Catholic community and the people of Australia for the canonisation of Mary McKillop. Mr. Trad picked up on the points raised by the speakers and cited a number of statements from the prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him which promoted love, peace, kindness and the spirit of hospitality.


لقاء ساطع على الشاطئ الذهبي في كوينزلاند

لأول مرة في تاريخ الجولد كوست، ندوة جمعت قيادات كاثوليكية أنجليكية وإسلامية في حوار ديني ودي عمت عليه روح الصداقة والتآلف حيث تكلم القادة الروحيون عن التحديات المعاصرة التي تواجه المجتمع الحديث تلاه وجبات من الضيافة العربية والهندية.
قامت بتعريف الحفل مديرة المدرسة السيدة مريم نجيبة بالاشتراك مع زميلتها المدرسة تارا فونثوف، استهل البرنامج بتلاوة عطرة من الشيخ أحمد الأزهري تلاها النشيد الوطني الأسترالي، قبل أن يقوم الأخ الدكتور سعد الشميمري رئيس رابطة العالم الإسلامي في أستراليا ومحيط الباسيفيك بافتتاح البرنامج رسمياً، كما نوه السيد الشميمري لدور سمو الملك عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود الرائد في دعم ورعاية حوار الأديان.
وقد رحب السيد قيصر طراد رئيس جمعية الصداقة الإسلامية الاسترالية بالحضور وكان بينهم سعادة سفير دولة بروناي الاستاذ عدنان جعفر ومدير مكتب رابطة العالم الاسلامي في استراليا والمحيط الهادئ وسكرتارة البرلمان الفيدرالي عضو منطقة بورلي السيدة كريستين سميث.
وتحدث سيادة المطران الكاثوليكي لمدينة برزبن جون باثرزبي عن عظمة الإله وذكر الحضور بأن ما بين أيديهم من نعم هو من كرم الله تعالى وأضاف أنه بإمكاننا أن نحدث تغييراً في هذا العالم في حال عملنا بمحبة اتجاه أخواننا في الإنسانية.
أما غبطة المطران جوناثان هولند ممثل الكنيسة الانجليكية في أستراليا فقد ركز على التماثل بين المسلمين والمسيحيين، وقال أنه قد شهد هذا التماثل بنفسه خلال تعامله مع العائلات المسلمة وأضاف أن الله تعالى في الواقع يحب الناس جميعاً. وشدد على أن العالم يصبح رائعاً إذا ما كنا سفراء لديننا وعقيدتنا وإذا ما اعتنقنا حسن المعاملة من تراثنا.
وفي كلمته عن الجالية الإسلامية أكد فضيلة الشيخ عبد القدوس الأزهري أن هناك قواسم مشتركة كثيرة بين ابناء أديان التوحيد شاهدا بالآية الكريمة: "يا أهل الكتال تعالوا إلى كلمة سواء بيننا وبينكم ألا نعبد إلا الله..." كما قال أن علينا جميعا المسؤولية لتنظيف ما علق بالديانات من شوائب ليست من أصلها وذكر النبي إبراهيم مثلاً لدوره في حوار الأديان.
أما الأسقف بيتر راما راو من جامعة كوينزلاند، الذي ساهم في تنسيق البرنامج الذي قدم صلاة مسيحية وتحدث عن أهمية الاجتماع من أجل حوارات الصداقة والأديان.
وشكر سعادة سفير بروناي دار السلام الاستاذ عدنان جعفر المتكلمين والمنسقين قبل أن يساعد هو والدكتور سعد الشميمري والنائبة كريستين سميث بتقديم الدروع التقديرية والزهور للمتكلمين وعريفتا الحفل.
وفي كلمة اختتام الحفل قام الأخ قيصر طراد بتهنئة الكاردينال باثرزبي والجالية الكاثوليكية والشعب الأسترالي على تنصيب أول قديسة ماري مككيلوب. كما عرض السيد طراد على النقاط التي طرحها كما ذكر أحاديث نبوية تشجع على المحبة والسلام وروح الضيافة.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Interfaith program, Hindus, Christians and Muslims coming together

Interfaith program with leaders from the Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities.
22 April 2009

The program was hosted by the Islamic Charitable Association of Beirut City, with the support of The Deartment of Immigration and Citizenship and the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc..
The event was held at the Grand Westella, Lidcombe NSW, Australia.

The speakers were:

Welcome to Country by Ms. Anne Fairbairn
Official Welcome: Mr. Farouk Kassar,
President of the Islamic Charitable Association of Beirut City Inc.
Hindu speaker: Prof. Nihal Agar
(President of the Hindu Council of Australia)
Christian Speaker: Rev. Prof. James Haire AM
(Executive Director, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University
Formerly, President of the Uniting Church of Australia and Formerly President of the Australian National Council of Churches)
Imam Yahya Safi
(Imam of the Lakemba Mosque and
Formerly, the representative of the Mufti of Lebanon in Australia)
The program was facilitated by Ms. Hala Trad
Word of thanks: Keysar Trad
(Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc.)

Ms. Hala Trad and the three speakers, from her left, Prof. Nihal Agar, Rev. Prof. James Haire AM and Imam Yahya Safi

Australian Poet Anne Fairbairn with Sh. Khalil Chami on her right and Elie Nassif (President, Lebanese Community Council on her left).
A section of the audience.
Some of the cuisine
Some of the cuisine


Anne Fairbairn delivering Welcome to Country Poem

Prof. Nihal Agar of the Hindu Council of Australia delivering his speech

Rev. Prof. James Haire (introduced by H Trad)

Imam Yahya Safi (introduced by H Trad)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Faith Communities offering solutions to the Global Financial Crisis

Brief glimple at the Financial solutions dinner held at St. Patrick's Cathedral Hall, Parramatta, joinly convened by the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and Initiatives of Change.

Prof. Akhtar Kalam, Sh. Taj Aldin Alhilali, Ms. M Keen, K Trad, His Excellency Hasan T Nazer, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, His Grace Bishop Kevin Manning


Facilitator Mr. Noel Dubien (from the ABC), Associate Professor Steve Keen, Prof. Akhtar Kalam and K Trad.


Mr. David Mills, Rev. Iain Pearson, Julie Owens MP and Philip Ruddock MP.


F Kassar, Justice John Dowd, Dr. John Hewson, C Watson and Mr. Anthony Roberts MP


His Grace Bishop Kevin Manning, K Trad, R and H Trad and Ms. Julie Owens MP
Notes from the keynote Address by Associate Professor Steve Keen:
Notes from the speech by Associate Professor Steve Keen:

Worst Crisis Since The Great Depression”?
Steve Keen
School of Economics & Finance
www.debtdeflation.com/blogs
http://www.debunkingeconomics.com/

OECD Economic Outlook June 2007
“the current economic situation is in many ways better than what we have experienced in years…
Our central forecast remains indeed quite benign:
a soft landing in the United States,
a strong and sustained recovery in Europe,
a solid trajectory in Japan
and buoyant activity in China and India.
In line with recent trends, sustained growth in OECD economies would be underpinned by strong job creation and falling unemployment.” (p. 9)
Chief Economist Jean-Philippe Cotis
Crisis began August 9 2007—just 2 months later!
BNP closes 3 funds with strong subprime exposure…
Macroeconomic Debate 2000-2007…
“The Great Moderation”
Belief amongst (conventional) economists that slumps were—thanks to them—“a thing of the past”…
What went wrong?
2 vital questions:
1.How could the economy suddenly go so bad?
2.How could economists have got it so wrong?
The answers:
The bursting of a debt-financed speculative bubble
Conventional economics ignores debt and money
Debt bubbles independent of politics…
Debt and GDP grew at same rate 1945-1964
From mid-1964, debt grew 4.2% faster than GDP
Debt:GDP Ratio 25% in 1964
Peaked at 165% in 2008…
2 “superbubbles” under McMahon, Hawke…
Australia’s Debt Bubble (1965-2008)
It doesn’t matter who runs Treasury…
What went wrong?
OECD Economies have become debt-dependent
During boom, 20% of demand from increased debt
What went wrong?
Not long…
The Great Deleveraging
Correlation between debt change & unemployment from trivial to 90%
Why economists didn’t see it coming…
“The model could be described as broadly new Keynesian in its dynamic structure but with an equilibrating long run.
Activity is demand determined in the short run but supply determined in the long run…
The model will eventually return to a supply determined equilibrium growth path in the absence of demand or other shocks.”
Australian Treasury “The Macroeconomics Of The TRYM Model Of The Australian Economy”, p. 6
“One thing which has not changed over the past five years is the philosophy underpinning the model. It remains small, highly aggregated, empirically based, and non-monetary in nature.”
RBA Research Discussion Paper 2005-11, p. 1
Why economists didn’t see it coming…
Conventional “neoclassical” economics:
Ignores private debt completely
Ignores money except as a factor in inflation
Model of money has been empirically falsified
Presumes the economy always tends to equilibrium
Treats finance markets as inherently prescient
Financial deregulation it promoted helped cause crisis
US economist Hyman Minsky developed “Financial Instability Hypothesis” as explanation for crisis
Supported by Bill White (ex-Head, Monetary and Economic Department, Bank International Settlements)
Minsky’s hypothesis known by RBA & other Central Bank economists but ignored…
Minsky’s “Financial Instability Hypothesis”
Economy in historical time
Debt-induced recession in recent past
Firms and banks conservative re debt/equity, assets
Only conservative projects are funded
Recovery means most projects succeed
Firms and banks revise risk premiums
Accepted debt/equity ratio rises
Assets revalued upwards…
“Stability is destabilising”
Period of tranquility causes expectations to rise…
The Euphoric Economy
Self-fulfilling expectations
Decline in risk aversion causes increase in investment
Investment expansion causes economy to grow faster
Asset prices rise
speculation on assets profitable
Increased willingness to lend increases money supply
Money supply endogenous money, not under RBA control
Riskier investments enabled, asset speculation rises
The emergence of “Ponzi” (Bond, Skase…) financiers
Cash flow less than debt servicing costs
Profit by selling assets on rising market
Interest-rate insensitive demand for finance
The Assets Boom and Bust
Eventually:
Rising rates make conservative projects speculative
Non-Ponzi investors sell assets to service debts
Entry of new sellers floods asset markets
Rising trend of asset prices falters or reverses
Ponzi financiers go bankrupt:
Can no longer sell assets for a profit
Debt servicing on assets far exceeds cash flows
Asset prices collapse, increasing debt/equity ratios
Endogenous expansion of money supply reverses
Investment evaporates; economic growth slows
Economy enters a debt-induced recession
Back where we started...
Crisis and Aftermath
Modelling Minsky
Extension of Goodwin’s Growth Cycle to include debt
4 “stylised facts”
Wages share grows if wage rises exceed productivity
Employment rises if growth exceeds productivity + population increase
Bank lend money to finance investment & speculation
Speculation rises when growth rises
Dynamics
Borrow money to finance investment during a boom
Repay some of it during a slump
Debt/ Income ratio rises in series of booms/busts
Eventually one boom where debt accumulation passes “point of no return”…
A Minsky Model with Ponzi Finance
Honouring irresponsibly created debt will lock us into a permanent slump…
What could happen?
USA & Australia debt ratios highest in history:
What could happen?
Decline in spending inevitable given collapse of debt-financed spending
Aggregate demand sum of GDP plus change in debt
At peak, change in debt accounted for
23% of demand in USA, 20% in Australia
Change from debt-dependent to debt-free economy makes prolonged slump inevitable:
“We’re certainly in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime set of economic conditions.
The perspective I would bring is not one of recession.
Rather, the economy is resetting to a lower level of business and consumer spending based largely on the reduced leverage in the economy.” (Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer)
The future
A Depression as private sector de-levers
Deleveraging will overwhelm government remedies
Government stimulus: +A$42 billion…
Australian Private debt A$2 trillion
5% reduction: -A$100 billion
Deleveraging swamps stimulus
Only medium term solution requires debt reduction
Cause inflation?
Neoclassical “printing press” model won’t work
Reduce debt by fiat
Would we honour Bernie Madoff’s debts?
Debt irresponsibly lent in first place
The future
Even if policy “correct”, have to replace 20%+ of debt-financed demand with income-generated demand
In interim, up to 20% fall in demand…
Not “the recession we can’t avoid” but
The Depression We Can’t Avoid
Long term:
To avoid a 4th crisis in 2060 (after 1890, 1930, 2009)
Regulation won’t work
“Stability is destabilising”
Regulators “captured” during good times
Debt will grow if borrowers see chance for leveraged profit
Two proposals
The future
Share market
Make shares last 25 years (like bonds)
Dividend flow & voting rights for 25 years
Can buy/sell as now
Shares redeemed at issue price at maturity
Potential for share price volatility reduced
Housing market
Base valuation on imputed rent
Set ceiling to secured debt at (say) 10 times annual imputed debt
To pay higher price, need more of buyer’s money, not more leverage
Leverage falls as price rises
“Same House” Price Index over 350 Years
Collapse in asset prices inevitable
Trying to prevent it will just prolong the agony…
USA and Australian Housing Bubbles Compared
Japan’s Burst Housing Bubbles
Below are the notes from the speech of Professor Akhtar Kalam, Chairman of the Muslim Community Cooperative Australia Ltd.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Quality Harmony in the South West, Nov 08

Event organiser The Charitable Association of Beirut City Inc. President Farouk Kassar with K Trad

Young people enjoying the event

F Kassar with the Hon. Laurie Ferguson


Bishop Kevin Manning



Holroyd Mayor Greg Cummins


David Borger MP


Parramatta Lord Mayor Tony Issa and K Trad



Welcome to Country by Uncle Greg



All Stand for the Australian and Lebanese National Anthems



The Official Party.
The event was hosted by the Charitable Islamic Association of Beirut City Inc with the support of Auburn Migrant Resource Centre and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
The Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Assisted in the planning and facilitation of this event.



Creating Cultural Inclusion: Healing Cultural Rifts with His Excellency Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammad

Presentations to Tun Dr. Mahathir



Rev. Dr. Tony Floyd and Sh. Fedaa Mazjoub

The official table


K Trad, Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tun Siti Hasma



One of the group photos


Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammad honoured by Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc.

In a special evening of friendship and goodwill in honour of Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia was awarded the Order of the Champions of Cultural Inclusion by the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc. and its partner organisations the Darul Uloom Islamic Academy of Brisbane and Jamiyatul Ulama Australia.

The award was handed to Tun Dr. Mahathir by Australia’s leading Islamic Scholar and Imam, His Eminence Sh. Taj Aldin Alhilali. Imam Alhilali gave the medallion to Tun Mahathir after a moving lecture on cross-cultural respect and cultural inclusion at the prestigious Stamford Plaza Hotel in Melbourne.

The Symposium/dinner brought together friends from different faith backgrounds including Commissioner Mick Keelty the head of the Australian Federal Police, Assistant Commissioner Peter Dein of the NSW police Mr. Hussein Al Assiri representing His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mr. Hamed Al-Hajri the Consul-General of Oman, Councillor Khodr Saleh deputy mayor of the city of Canterbury, Mr. Ramzi Alsayed, the President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Rev. Dr. Tony Floyd, the National director of the Multicultural Ministry of the Uniting Church of Australia, Prof. Ismail Al Bayrak, the Fethi Gulen Chair of Muslim Christian Relations at the Australian Catholic University, Prof. Akhtar Kalam, the Chairman of the Muslim community Cooperative, Br. Yasser Soliman director of Diversity Connect and former chair of the ICV.

In introducing Tun Dr. Mahathir, Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhary stressed that Tun Dr. Mahthir dedication to the human family in general and his people in particular has made him the father of every Malay, the Muslim, the Christian, the Jew, the Hindu, the Buddhist and the atheist, the Imam praised Tun’s gentleness and strength, his selflessness and humility and his love for humanity.

During the evening, Imam Abdul Quddoos, the director of the event’s co-host, the Darul Uloom Islamic Academy of Brisbane also presented appreciation plaques to Tun Dr. Mahathir for his services to humanity. Tun Dr. Mahathir’s wife, Tun, Dr. Siti Hasmah was also presented with a plaque by Mrs. Nina Azam, for Tun Dr. Siti’s long history of services to humanity.

In his keynote speech, Tun Dr. Mahathir gave a history of important developments in his home country, Malaysia since independence from British occupation including the agreement that migrants could establish schools that educated children in foreign languages. Tun explained how this very legacy of British occupation has hampered cultural inclusion and social cohesion as it served to exclude different sections of society from social and cultural exchanges.

“In Malaysia, one of the major obstacles is the right to establish ethnic based schools where the teachings are in the language of the particular races. This prevents the children of different cultural groups from coming in contact with one another during the formative years of their lives. I believe that it is only in Malaysia that we find Government-financed ethnic schools where the medium of instruction is in the language of the Chinese and Indian.”

Tun expressed concern about disparity in wealth as another significant obstacle to cultural harmony and cross-cultural respect and that balance and a fair distribution of wealth are crucial for harmonious cohesive societies.

“Wealth distribution between the different races, or cultural groups is very important because even unequal wealth within the same groups can cause serious conflicts.

“Socialism and communism were born out of the conflicts between the rich and the poor in single ethnic countries and we know how it led to the violent Russian revolution in which millions were killed.

“But when the imbalance in wealth is associated with racial differences, the situation becomes even more explosive.

“Consequently, if intercultural relations are to improve, the first thing that has to be done is to reduce wealth disparities between the races. There should be no identification of race with economic function if we want to bring the races closer together.”

Tun Dr. Mahathir also identified the sharing of political power as a very important catalyst for cultural inclusion, Tun praised the moves in the United States of America for the current changes which led to the nomination of a member of a minority group for the presidency.

“Even before wealth distribution is fair between cultural groups attention has to be given to the sharing of political power.

“In a country with minorities, the minorities cannot have equal political power with the majority. But attempts must be made to give significant roles in politics to the minorities. Ignoring racial or cultural differences in politics usually does not work.

“However we are seeing today the possibility of a great change taking place in the United States. For the first time, a candidate from a minority group is vying for the presidency of the country peopled by a very large majority of ethnically different group. But actually the process took a long time, more than a century. During that time, minority group had to fight battles, including violent battles, to be recognised as having the same rights as the majority. It looks as if finally the struggle is going to bear fruit. But actually the task is made less difficult because the candidate is not typical of the minority concerned.

“This excepted, sharing political roles fairly between the racial or cultural groups is still imperative.

“With the economic and political power fairly or evenly distributed, then the real task of building intercultural friendship may begin.

“The peoples of differing cultures must learn about the background, the beliefs and the cultures of each other. Perhaps race studies should be included in the curriculum of schools and universities. This may be able to prevent the stereotyping and demonising of each other.”

Tun Dr. Mahathir also lamented the condition of Muslims who blindly advocate one interpretation and marginalise others with a different interpretation and sometimes even causing violence against others. “For this reason we must not allow the teachings of a particular imam to divide us. This has become more important now because we are seeing more Muslims being killed by Muslims because of the differences in their belief as compared to Muslims being killed by non-Muslims.

He stressed that: “Instead, we should revert to the Quran and find out how we should live in friendship with the followers of other religions. We should remember Surah Al Kafirun – to you your religion, and to me, mine. There is not a word in the Quran which enjoins us to kill non-Muslims, except when they attack Muslims.”

“If we abide by this injunction then we will see social cohesion, intercultural friendship and understanding wherever we may be. And others too will befriend and understand us”

Mr. Al Assiri asked about enforcing one language in all schools in Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir referred the problem to the agreement made at independence from British rule which allowed both Chinese and Migrants to set up schools with government aid wchih only t each in their foreign language.

Sydney Lawyer Richard Mitry asked Tun about the views in Asia about Australia’s attitude to Racial harmony. Tun praised Australia’s departure from the White Australia Policy but added that it was whilst we are making progress in Australia, we still need more before Australia will accept a PM who is Chinese or Indian.

Keysar Trad, the chairman of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia in thanking Tun Dr. Mahathir observed “This important advice reflects the pain at the current state of the human family from a leader who dedicated his life to serve humanity, they represent the lament of a man who can see possibilities for improved relations and the obstacles to these possibilities.”

Mr. Trad also praised comments by NSW Premier the Hon. Nathan Rees who during a recent Iftar in state Parliament House expressed his appreciation for the month of Ramadan and how this holy month made it possible for people of all faiths to come together for an evening meal.



Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Fair Go Forum, June 07

Some images from the Fair Go Forum, 15 June 07
K Trad thanking Pat Dodson and presenting plaque

K Trad and J Robertson

C Ho, N Burridge and S Ozdowski


B Spies-Butcher and C Gibbs



W Higgins and P Glendenning


First scarf-wearing female Muslim Surf Lifesaver in Australia M Lalaa




C Ho, A Jakubowitz, A Bartletts and S Hussein


T Brunero, A Samson and B Walters


S Trad, C Gibbs and A Samson

An announcement from the UTS website



Forum Flyer and Registration Form


The Fair Go Forum was jointly convened by the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, the Edmund Rice Centre, the Don Chipp Foundation and the UTS.

No fees were charged at this or any of the our other forums. Our Keynote Speaker was the Highly Respected Indigenous leader Pat Dodson.

The forum produced the following recommendations for our politicians in Canberra:


Recommendations from the Fair Go Forum


1. A Bill of Rights

This forum requests that the Federal Government enact a Bill of Rights for Australia in order to enshrine our inalienable rights within our Constitutional framework.


2. End Unjust Immigration Policies

This forum requests the Federal Government to end the unjust immigration policies such as the Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) regime and mandatory detention so that we can ensure that those seeking protection and refuge in Australia are treated justly and fairly.


3. Reconciliation

This forum requests the Federal Government to refocus the nation on the reconciliation process so that we as a Nation can work to achieve genuine and substantive reconciliation between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians.


4. Cohesive Communities

Option a)
This forum requests the Federal government to address the need to build cohesive communities by focusing on and celebrating the things that unite us in our diversity rather than highlighting our differences and prejudices which work to divide us.

Option b)
That the federal government must foster the cohesive bonds in our communities by celebrating what unites us; accepting our differences; take measures to halt those actions which prevent so many from full participation in that secular space where we are all citizens concerned for our common future.