Index of posts on this page of Islamic Friendship events

Dear reader

Please note that the postings on this blog url are not exhaustive, Islamic Friendship has been involved in many other events and activities, including most recently, a humanitarian visit to Gaza, Cairo and Amman, I have only posted some of our activities:

About Islam:

• A very brief flyer about Islam
• The Amazing Qur'an
• Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him

Syria:

• 4000 Candles for Syria outside of Australian Parliament
• Second Candle Art display for Syria in Lakemba

Gaza/Palestine:

• Offering condolences to the Turkish community over the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara which sought to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza
• Save Gaza Now, Candle Display outside of the Australian Parliament
• Hosting Palestinian MP Rev. Dr. Bernard Sabella

Champions of Cultural Inclusion:

• Imam W D Mohammed
• Bishop Kevin Manning
• Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad (former Prime Minister of Malaysia)

Interfaith:

• Gold Coast Interfaith event
• Joint Iftar with the Sefton Uniting Church of Australia
• Interfaith Iftar with the Islamic Charitable Association of Beirut City
• Addressing an interfaith forum held by the Hindu Council of Australia
• Another Iftar with the Islamic Charitable Association of Beirut City
• Pre-Ramadan Interfaith barbecue with political leaders
• Interfaith dinner with the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Community Services
• Interfaith event with Muslims, Christians and Hindus
• Interfaith event in Blacktown City with world renown Nigerian speakers the Imam and the Pastor
• Interfaith dinner/discussion on vilification laws in Australia with Turner Freeman Lawyers
• Interfaith forum on the Attributes of God:
• Mrs. Hanifeh El Hassan
• Dr. Gerard Kelly
• Rev. Helen Richmond
• Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammad (Arabic speech)
• Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammad (English Translation of speech)
• Articles about the program: Arabic - English 
• Towards a Cohesive Australia:
• Welcome by Bishop Kevin Manning
• Speech by Mufti Al Hilali
• Speech notes by the Minister for Health the Hon. Tony Abbott MP
• Ms. Nadia Jamal's speech notes
• Speech by his eminence Edward Cardinal Cassidy
• Word of Thanks by K Trad
• Introducing Islam to residents of Hervey Bay (North Queensland)
• Interfaith Youth Leadership Forum at the Parliament House for the State of NSW
• Celebrating the lives and achievements of Christ and Mohammad, peace be upon them
• Speech by Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammad
• Speech by Prof. Neil Ormerod
• Interfaith dinner hosting Abdullah Zin, Malaysian Minister from the Prime Minister's Department
• Dialogue/debate at the university of Wollongong
• Interfaith program with Muslims, Christians and Jews - Brisbane Queensland
• Campsie Interfaith program May 05
• More from the Campsie May 05 Program
• Joint Breaking the fast Nov. 04
• Castle Hill Interfaith event
• Speech by Keysar Trad  (I don't have the speeches by the other three speakers)
• Speech notes for the Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC, Minister for Justice
• News article about this program
• Greystanes Interfaith event
• Summary of speech by Keysar Trad
• Speech by Susan Meguid
• Speech by Ms. Wendie Wilkie (Associate General Secretary UCA)
• Speech by Bishop Kevin Manning

Meetings and interviews:

• Dialogue the Lingua of Power Conference
• Interview with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim
• Meeting of Imams with the Commissioner for the Australian Federal Police
• Peace Vigil for Sri Lanka
• Quality harmony in the South West (with the Islamic Charitable Association of Beirut City)
• Addressing Crime at the parliament house of the state of NSW
• Islamic Awareness at the university of Wollongong
• Art Gallery of NSW, the Khalili exhibition of Islamic Art
• The Fair-Go Forum
• God in politics - a program at the parliament house of the state of NSW
• Unity for Peace Conference - Melbourne
• Attempting to bring peace and harmony after the Cronulla riots
• Speech by Keysar Trad on the Cronulla riots at Griffiths University
• Dinner to address youth issues with ministerial delegation from Queensland
• Opening of new local court building in Bankstown
• Addressing our community's challenges - Brisbane
• Appeal for the release of CPT hostages in Iraq
• Presentation of Didgeridoo to Japanese students

Financial Crisis:

• Faith Communities coming together with political leaders to offer financial solutions with A/Prof. Steve Keen

Other K Trad sites:

• Keysar Trad addressing major controversies
• Supporting the right of women to choose
• Greeting cards and poems by Keysar Trad:
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004

• My old Website

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.

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)

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.

Save Gaza Now, 4000 Candle Art Project, Australian Parliament, 10 Jan 09

A photo from the cherry picker "Save Gaza Now" "أنقذوا غزة الآن"

A ground picture of the candles

A ground picture of the candles.

Diplomats HE Dr. Izzat Abdul Hadi with HE Tamma Suleiman Ambassador of Syria lighting candles with other diplomats and dignitaries.

K Trad lighting more candles with diplomats and dignitaries and artist Jorge Pujol

Sh. Ahmad Yusuf of the Canberra Islamic Centre giving the word of Thanks and MC Diana Abdul Rahman

Kathryn Kelly of Australians for Peace and Justice for Palestine speaking at our event

One of our speakers and financial supporters of the project, AFIC President Ikebal Patel, His Excellency Dr. Izzat Abdul Hadi, Charge D'Affairs of the Palestinian Delegation to Australia and Sh. Dr. Fedaa Majzoub

Rev. Gregor Henderson, Bishop Pat Power and Sh. Dr. Fedaa Majzoub

Rev. Gregor Henderson and Imam Dr. Fedaa Majzoub

Sh. Dr. Fedaa Majzoub

Some of the volunteers on the day

K Trad and master of ceremonies Diana Abdul Rahman, we are grateful to Diana for her invaluable assistance to the project.

K Trad and art for earth artist Jorge Pujol, Jorge worked for days to calculate and outline the candle art and supervise the project.

Another aerial photo by Stefan Postles, this is what four thousand candles can do.

A photo from the 15 meter cherry picker.

Some of the young people supporting the protest, the banner disappeared, whoever has it, please return it.

An aerial shot of the candles by Stefan Postles.

K Trad with artist Jorge Pujol lighting the first candle.

Australian of Gazan origin Tasneem Sammak who flew from melbourne to Canberra to join us in support of the people of Gaza at the Candle Art Project.

Three of the speakers, Uniting Church National Moderator Rev. Gregor Henderson, Catholic Aux. Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Pat Power and Imam Dr. Fedaa Majzoub