Second Australian Candle art protest in support of the people of Syria

More from our May 05 interfaith program

The Islamic Friendship Association of Australia jointly convened this program with Initiatives of Change.

Our speakers included:
Rev. Prof. James Haire, President, National Council of Churches of Australia
Sr. Giovanni Farqhuer rsj, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
Ms. Amina Elshafi, Local resident
Keysar Trad, Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc
Facilitator:
Stepan Kerkyasharian, Community Relations Commission for Multicultural NSW
Opened by:
Archbishop Issam Darwiche, Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand
Closing comments from:
Sh. Khaled Yassin
Ms. Linda Burney MP
Mr. Philip Ruddock MP (was Attorney General of Australia at the time)
Mr. Tony Burke MP
Cr. Robert Furollo (Mayor, Canterbury City Council)

Keysar Trad Speech, July 04 interfaith program at Castle Hill

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (In the name of God the All Compassionate the All Merciful).

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen Wassalatu Wassalamu Ala Sayidna Muhammad Wa ‘ala Aalihi Wasahbihi wa Anbiya’illahi Ajma’een.
(My thanks and gratitude belong to God the Lord of all, I ask God to bless and bestow peace on all His prophets and messengers, their families, followers and supporters and all who traverse their path).

Allahumma Ishrah Li Sadry Wayassir Li Amry Wahlul ‘Uqdatan Min Lisany yafqahu Qawly.
(Lord God, I ask you to expand my breast, make my task easy, undo the knot in my tongue so that my speech will become comprehensible) (Moses’ prayer).

Your eminence, distinguished guests, your grace, Mr. Chair, fellow speakers, ladies and Gentlemen Brothers and Sisters.

Thank you all for taking the time to be here tonight, thank you for choosing to be with us rather than the movies or the football, we truly appreciate your sharing this wonderful evening with us.

It is an honour for me to be the final speaker tonight, not because I want to have the final say, far be it for me to claim that, as we all know, the last word is with the chairperson.

My friends, what does it mean to be a Muslim? The Arabic dictionary tells us that this word carries three meanings, it refers to a person who seeks to live life in accordance with the will of God, a person who seeks to promote peace and goodwill to all and, according to the Mukhtar Al Sihah dictionary, a person who is saved.

In Essence, the literal meaning of the word Muslim is a person of peace, who has received salvation and who believes in God. In this light, does a Christian not believe that he is seeking the will of the Father in Heaven, promoting peace and that he or she has received salvation? Is this not the very belief and life pursuit of every devout Christian, every devout Jew, every devout Hindu and every devout Buddhist? This leads me to feel safe in saying that any person of any faith who seeks to live life according to God’s will and seeks to spread peace on earth fits the literal description of a Muslim. This is significant to non Muslims, especially those who have been misinformed about Islam, because this reassures you that my faith teaches me to love and respect you also.

Therefore, what is the difference between Muslims, Christians and Jews? Certainly, the difference is not one of word definition, I have already shown that the word Muslim can apply to any peace loving person who believes in God. The difference is based on a theological understanding. The difference between Christians and Jews revolves around the mission of Christ peace be upon him. It arose because those wonderful disciples decided to think with their hearts and minds and to believe in Christ, at that time, they were referred to as Judao-Christians, that is Jews who have accepted Christ as their teacher.

The difference between Muslims and people of other faiths revolves on the mission of Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him. It is interesting as we label this as a difference, we find that as we study the teachings of these great people, we find that essentially, Moses, Christ and Muhammad (peace be upon them) taught the same values, the same principles and the same morals. They all taught the same rules, they all taught us the values of love, compassion and peace. Above all, they all taught us how to love God with all our hearts.

These greats were all brothers in their service to God. As I read the account of the life of Moses in the Qur`an, I feel such a deep sense of love for Moses that I automatically revere him as a role model for me. As I read about Christ in the Qur`an, I also humble myself in respect and love before this great personality, I learn about these greats through reading my own holy book which is full with messages of love, respect and reverence for these great people, we have a common shared reverence for these great icons of human civilization.

This takes us back to the difference, the difference is the final role model for humanity, the man who for the first forty years of his life, was nicknamed the honest, trustworthy one. A man who was respected by his community until he brought his message of reform, his message of equality, his message of justice and equity.

The man of our distinction is the very man who unites us in the love for Christ and Moses and for every good soul who sought to bring about goodness to this world. The very man who taught us to respect every one of God’s children, this final messenger from God is known as Muhammad peace and blessings upon him. The man that insisted that we are Muslims and not Muhammadans, the man who like his predecessors, Christ and Moses was blessed in the heavens as he was praised in the earth. A man who combined in his personality, the perseverance of Noah, the faith of Abraham, the forebearance of Ismael, the beauty of Joseph, the patience of Job, the fortitude and resolve of Moses, the wisdom of Solomon, the love, compassion and humility of Christ. He taught his Muslim followers how to live in devotion to God like these greats, including how to be Christ-like.

He taught us how to love our fellow human beings saying: “You will not be true believers until you love one another, the way to love one another is to establish peace.” He taught us that if we truly love God, we should follow his model and God’s love will be all over us.

My friends, my brothers my sisters, as a Muslim, when I am good, I am like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Christ and Muhammad, how can I not be, for Allah has told me so much about them in the Noble Qur`an that He in His wisdom has instructed me to model aspects of my life on each and everyone of them. What this means is that if I am in a situation that requires great perseverance, I should remember Noah my role model in perseverance, if I am in a situation that requires unimpeachable faith, I should remember the trials of Abraham and his great faith, if I am tempted, I should remember how Joseph would not succumb to temptation, if I am in a situation that requires fortitude and resolve, I should remember the great Moses, if I am in a situation that requires patience, I should remember the patience of Job, if I am in a situation that requires love, compassion and humility, I should remember Christ and his magnanimity. If I am to live life as a true devoted servant of God, I should remember Muhammad whose point of pride was his position of servitude and devotion to the Great Master in Heaven.

My dear friends, tonight’s program is nothing other than an expression of love, I pray that you have enjoyed your time so far and I pray that after we conclude the speeches, that you will take the opportunity to stay back a little longer and get to know one another in God’s name. I will now try to apply a lesson from one of my great role models, Prophet Muhammad, who was the master of eloquent concise discourses.


Thank you all.

Peace.

Keysar Trad

Speech notes for Minister John Hatzistergos opening the Castle Hill interfaith Open Dialogue, July 04

SPEECH NOTES FOR MINISTER HATZISTERGOS

MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS – AN OPEN DIALOGUE

BENILDUS HALL, CASTLE HILL

FRIDAY 30 JULY 2004

Bishop Kevin Manning…
Mr. Keysar Trad…
Distinguished Guests…
Ladies and Gentlemen…


It is far too often that we open the newspaper or turn on our television only to be bombarded by images and stories of violence and bloodshed…

… Even more disturbing, however, are the number of occasions these stories are about Islam.

It (Media) focuses on troubled regions such as Palestine, Kashmir, and Bosnia…

… And it has distorted the faith of Islam to such an extent that its true character is a stranger to the Western world.

It would be a fair assumption to make that most people roughly know what Christianity is all about…

…especially since almost 70% of Australians belong to a stream of Christianity…

…but it is few who possess an accurate knowledge of Islam.


Misconceptions have been exacerbated by a climate of fear, prejudice and intolerance…

… and unless we combat these diseased emotions, the ideal of a multicultural Australia will always be jeopardised.

It is not everyone who is aware that the word Islam means “self-surrender” in Arabic and is derived from Salaam, meaning ‘peace’…

… It is not the majority of people who know that Islam reveres Jesus Christ as a prophet of God and his mother Mary as a chosen vessel…

…We may be misled into thinking that Jihad means ‘holy war’ and is something waged by Muslims in a military sense…

On the contrary, the primary meaning of the word refers to a ‘struggle’ or ‘exertion’ on behalf of the believer with his heart against evil.


The Muslim presence in Australia dates back to the 17th Century when the Makassan traders of Indonesia made contact with the Indigenous people of northern Australia…

…but it was not until the 1860s that a Muslim community began to emerge in Australia.

A large number of ‘Afghan’ cameleers arrived in Australia to work the camel trains which opened up the interior of the continent.

I was only recently reminded of this fact when I was in Broken Hill last month and visited there one of Australia’s oldest Mosques.[1]

I was both saddened and inspired by the humble mosque which has been closed because of its run-down state and yet glows with so much history of the cameleers who made Broken Hill their home.

Tonight’s inter-faith dialogue and inter-community friendship is more of what is needed to help dispel myths and negative stereotypes…

…It will enable us to find common ground, respect differences and celebrate our diverse community…

…and it will also allow us to explore our own identity against the backdrop of this diversity…

…as people coming together through a shared spirit of friendship.
[1] The oldest Australian mosque is situated near Maree in South Australia

July 04, Interfaith Program, Castle Hill, Islamic Friendship, Catholic Diocese,

This was our second interfaith event, it was held in Castle Hill, the event was chaired by ABC radio personality and SMH columnist Mr. Richard Glover.

the speakers were:

His Grace, Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

Ms. Wendie Wilkie, Associate General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia

Ms. Suzan Meguid, local resident

Keysar Trad, Islamic Friendship Association of Australia Inc.

Susan Meguid speech at the Sharing Common Values Interfaith Program Oct 03

Good evening Ladies and gentlemen. My name is Suzan Meguid. I am a born Muslim. I was born in Egypt. My family migrated to Australia when I was 1 year old. I grew up in the Hills District. I attended Castle Hill Primary School and then James Ruse High School. I am a pharmacy graduate of the University of Sydney. I currently own a pharmacy in Auburn. I am also a mother of three beautiful girls. As you can see I am an Australian girl who has done pretty much what most Australians do, study, work, get married and start a family. Sometimes people ask me ‘what nationality are you’ and I reply ‘Australian’. They say ‘ yes but what nationality are you’ and I repeat ‘Australian’. That is what I am. I have an Egyptian cultural background but I am an Australian. Australia is my country, my home. I sing the national anthem with pride just like every proud Australian.

I have lived in the Hills for over 25 years. I love the area and would never move anywhere else. I feel at home there. I always tell my Muslims friends how much I love living in the Hills. The people are so much like me, hardworking, well spoken, well mannered and polite. They help each other, chitchat, smile and are friendly. These are the type of people I love living around. I am pleased to say I have not experienced any alienation from my neighbours or my community. When I go down to the shops I truly feel like everyone else there. I may look different because I wear the scarf. But I am not different. And I don’t believe anyone else there sees me otherwise. Actually, I was grocery shopping one day and this lovely lady came up to me and said ‘ you are so beautiful. I love how you wear your headgear. You look angelic’.

I take my daughters to swimming lessons every Thursday morning at the Castle Hill RSL Club and I have made so many friends. The people are so friendly. In fact, I think some people go out of their way to be extra friendly just so they can show me that they are open minded and accepting. The older ladies that do the aqua aerobics class while I am there are so great. They wish me a happy Ramadan; they play with my girls and always ask how I am. Some people ask me things about my religion, which is fantastic. They often apologise and say ‘I hope I didn’t offend you by asking that’. No way! I think it’s wonderful that we all get to know each other’s customs and beliefs. How else are we going to understand each other and work together as a community?

It’s a real shame the media portrays the Anglo Saxon community as being xenophobic; because this is not the experience I have come across. I know the majority of my community are not narrow minded and certainly not bigots.

I moved to Glenhaven 1 year ago, which is right next door to Castle Hill. My neighbours came over to welcome my family and I. They look out for us and vice versa. That’s what neighbours do. We borrow eggs and sugar from each other, we talk over the fence, we discuss schools, local events and so on. I even went to cheer my neighbour on at the orange blossom festival recently. It was great. 2 days ago my neighbour approached me on my way to work and asked if my husband or I could mind her son after school for a couple of hours until she gets home from work. I was privileged, not only does she enjoy my company but she trusts me with her children, which as a mother I know is not easy to do.

After the events of September 11 and with the media attacking the Muslim community the way they did, I was for the first time in my life scared to go down to the shops. I wanted to cry out to everyone in my area ‘I am the same person you saw as a friend yesterday and I like you am appalled at this gross act of terror’. After a day of sitting at home, which is quite unlike me, I finally mustered the courage and ventured down to Castle Hill Shops. To my astonishment I did not even get a second look. People went about their business as per normal. The shop assistants were just as friendly; people still made chitchat with me while waiting in line and mothers still came up and adored my girls. I felt ashamed that I made the same mistake as the media. I committed the crime that I beg people not to commit. I prejudged. I prejudged that many would fall victim to the media hysteria when in fact my community proved to me what I have always known and experienced, that they are open minded, accepting, and caring people. They are Australians.

This probably all sounds quite normal to you, well it is normal. This is what I am trying to say. I am a normal Australian citizen like everybody else. I was at the Olympics cheering on Cathy Freeman and Thorpe. I regularly go to the gym, I listen to 2dayFM, I love sports, reading, laughing and socialising with my friends. As you can see the scarf over my hair does not make me any different to anybody else nor does it stop me from living a normal life and achieving my goals.

I am a pharmacist and I work in Auburn, which is highly populated with Muslims. I meet Lebanese, Iraqi, Somali, Afghani and Pakistani people everyday. They are just like us. Sure some of them may not have grown up here and maybe their English is not up to scratch but they still do the same things we do. They love, they laugh, they read, they go out and enjoy the same things we do.

I laugh when I turn on the radio or read in the paper about ‘Islamic terrorists’. It’s funny because Islam means peace. So this new phrase the media has coined really means peace terrorists. It’s an oxymoron. It just doesn’t make sense. I think it’s sad that our political leaders are inadvertently instilling fear in the Australian community. Why would you want your constituents to live in fear especially when there is no tangible or credible threat to Australia? It’s not healthy for a community. It’s not healthy for a multicultural community. It’s just not healthy for this country. Islam, like Christianity is a peaceful religion. The actions of individuals should never reflect on the religion. Humans are humans, you get the good and unfortunately there are some bad. The problem is though, once a Muslim does anything wrong, his religion is immediately aired on every TV channel in Australia. Which makes it just that little bit harder for us to prove that generally we are a peaceful community.

I would like to finish off by asking each and every one of you to open you hearts and minds to each other. Whether we are Muslims or Christians, we all share common values. Lets continue live side by side in peace and harmony. Lets learn about each other religions and cultures without prejudice. This, after all, is what makes life more interesting.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you.