COMMUNITY

AIMA Leadership Camp: Enthusiasm, collegiality and networking

Dr Ashraf Chehata.

Mobinah Ahmad. Senator Fatima Payman.

Dr Muhammad Afzal Kahloon.

Dr Habib Bhurawala

The Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) organised a national leadership camp in Canberra from Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 September 2022, attended by almost 100 doctors and other health professionals as well as medical students from all across Australia, where Senator Fatima Payman, the Labor Senator for WA delivered the keynote speech.

Dr Muhammad Afzal Kahloon, Canberra-based senior Urologist and President of AIMA, welcomed all attendees saying that the objective and purpose of AIMA is to unite and inspire Muslim health professionals in Australia.

“AIMA members wish to serve and contribute to the welfare of Muslims and the broader Australian community,” he said.

Dr Kahloon urged Muslim medical and health professionals to come forward and support AIMA’s vision, goals and objectives with active participation in various activities.

Dr Habib Bhurawala, a Sydney-based senior Paediatrician and Chair of the AIMA leadership program committee provided a brief update on the event’s purpose.

“This leadership camp is an opportunity to develop leadership skills for AIMA central and state executive committee members, future leaders including junior doctors and medical students,” he said.

“This camp will also provide ample networking opportunities, especially for junior doctors and medical students,” Dr Bhurawala further added.

The programme on the first day, Sunday 10 September, commenced with a short Islamic talk, lessons and guidance based on the Holy Quran delivered by Dr Jamal Tashkandi, consultant Anaesthetist based in Rockhampton, Central Queensland and a member of the central leadership team of AIMA.

This session was followed by a talk by Dr Helen Parsons, CSC, FRACMA, on Medical Leadership, together with a Q&A session. Dr Parsons is the current president of The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and served in various public and private health facilities and Australian defence forces.

Dr Ashraf Chehata, Melbourne-based Orthopaedic surgeon and National vice-president of AIMA, spoke on Prophetic Leadership, explaining lessons derived from the battle of Uhud with subsequent Quranic revelation and its relevance to Islamic Leadership today.

Senator Fatima Payman, Labor Senator for WA, delivered a keynote speech acknowledging the support she has received from various Muslim community sections. She narrated her story of growing up in Perth from age 5, schooling in a Muslim school and her studies in pharmacy at the University of WA, later deciding to join politics and achieving rapid success in getting elected as a senator.

During the tea break, Senator Payman freely mingled with delegates at the event, networking and obliging those who wished to take photos.

Dr Imran Ali, Canberra-based Anaesthetist and Logistics co-ordinator for the AIMA Leadership camp, welcomed everyone on behalf of the AIMA-ACT team and provided housekeeping instructions and updates.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf, a Mackay-based general surgeon and secretary of AIMA, welcomed everyone to the first in-person meeting of AIMA nationally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided an overview of AIMA’s activities.

“AIMA is a national organisation with branches in each state and territory with well-established programs such as blood donation drives and free CPR training for community members, he said.

Dr Ashraf further added, “AIMA aims to expand programs to provide guidance and mentoring for medical students and young clinicians and to unite, inspire and serve”.

He reminded everyone that actions are judged by intention, and urged the audience to purify our intention.

Mr Shahid Majeed, CEO of E-LEAD, Global Centre of Excellent for Leadership, Engagement and Development conducted interactive workshops on Leadership and peak performance which were very well received.

He spoke about creating an impact through developing and enhancing the capacity and aspiration of future and emerging leaders for active Leadership in a global society.

A promo video highlighted the achievements of AIMA, showing glimpses of previous events, including a public health awareness campaign during COVID-19, CPR training in masjids and Islamic centres, and blood donation drives.

Mr Dan Bourchier, an Experienced multi-award-winning ABC Journalist who is the host of ABC Canberra, First Nations heritage, spoke about his experiences in media being a journalist of First Nations heritage and his journey over the years.

He answered many audience questions on equity, access, and presentation of minority issues in mainstream media, generating robust discussion.

Ms Mobinah Ahmad, Managing Editor of AMUST, an all-rounder with BSc, BA, MA (Digital Culture), MA (Islamic Studies) and a Digital Strategist at Digital Ninjas with substantial experience in dealing with mass media delivered the next session.

During her presentation, she advised the delegates on successfully engaging with mainstream media in order to convey professional and Islamic messages in a positive way.

Mr Zia Ahmad, a retired Biochemist, currently Editor-in-Chief of AMUST and winner of several journalism awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards 2021, during his presentation, talked about AMUST’s positive news media platform and how AIMA members can contribute articles on its self-submission system.

The second day Sunday, 11 September, commenced with an Islamic talk from Dr Mostafa Saleem, Consultant Gastroenterologist based at Launceston, Tasmania.

He reminded participants about the roles and responsibilities of Muslims in general and health professionals in particular towards humanity and the Islamic community.

A project Management session included using various software by Dr Ahmed Saeed Goolam, a Sydney-based Urologist and member of the AIMA Central leadership team, followed by several small group workshops were conducted amongst the delegates discussing set topics with the spokesperson for each group presenting a summary of discussions to the audience.

Dr Kahloon, AIMA President, presented future goals and strategy as a way forward for AIMA followed by further discussions and delegates’ reflections on the AIMA Leadership Camp proceedings.

The leadership development program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Muhammed Ashraf, Secretary of the Australian Islamic Medical association, acknowledging the incredible contribution of many volunteers and AIMA-ACT’s office bearers in the leadership camp’s organisation over the weekend.

He also announced the plans for a national AIMA conference in 2023.

Recording of previous AIMA events and details of other activities conducted by the Australian Islamic Medical Association is available on their website: www.aimamed.com.au.

Dr Habib Bhurawala (MBBS MD FRACP DCH) is a consultant general paediatrician currently working at Nepean & Blue Mountains hospitals in Sydney. He has a strong interest in community work, especially health education/promotion.

AUSTRALIA 15 - 16 Islamic Awareness Month: Sydney mosque opens its doors for all

Elias Attia

The Islamic Council of New South Wales (ICNSW) held an Open Mosque project on Sunday 24 September 2022 at the Darul Imaan Masjid at Wolli Creek. Launched as part of ICNSW’s Islamic Awareness Month campaign in September, the event provided an opportunity for a mosque to open its doors to Muslims and non-Muslims for a full day of programs, food and entertainment activities.

The program invites cross-cultural and intra-community dialogue allowing knowledge and experiences to be transmitted within the community. This in turn helps build capacity within the mosque for stronger community engagement as well as for public relations.

Traditionally, Islamic townships did not have town halls or community centres. They had mosques. Just like at Darul Imaan Masjid, these mosques had: 1. Prayer halls for men and women to conduct their daily prayers as well as for the

congregational friday prayer 2. A canteen or soup kitchen catering for regular meals (usually on a Thursday night) or to host iftars and celebratory events like a wedding or Eid festivities. 3. A madrasah (school) providing public education free of charge for all community members ranging from pre-school aged children to the elderly. 4. A community staging area where com-

munity members can congregate, socialise, eat on a sofra, exercise or teach/study martial arts 5. An administrative office that organised hajj and funeral services, weddings, conversions and charity collection and distribution in the local community.

The above features were pointed out to the attendees. Aspects of Malay culture, such as the 5 button, 3 pocket Baju Melayu (Malay shirt) were explained. The buttons represented the 5 pillars of Islam and the pockets represented Islam (Worship), Imaan (faith) and Ihsan (beauty).

Many Muslims who attended had never visited Masjid Darul Imaan before and had never sampled Malay cuisine before.

Sheikh Soner Cronulu was the speaker on the day.

During the event there were a number of talks about community development and Islamic awareness. Passionate communal invocations and Quran were recited in the mosque.

Elias Attia is a solicitor who has worked as a research assistant and community development consultant addressing social issues in Sydney as well as in rural Australia.

Queensland Muslims launched in Parliament

Janeth Deen

Queensland Muslims Inc Launched in the Speakers Hall in Queensland Parliament House on Saturday 20 August 2022. Among the guests were members from the three levels of government, members of the Federal and State Police, CEOs from Settlement Agencies. Leaders of Multicultural communities, and members of the Muslim and wider community.

The MC for the event was Dr Mustafa Ally OAM who added humour to the event. Amongst the guest speakers were Senator Paul Scar, James Martin MP Member for Stretton and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schinner.

Queensland Muslims Inc is an umbrella organization representing in excess of thirty Queensland Muslim Organizations represented by thirteen executive members headed by their president Habib Jamal.

Queensland Muslims’ three targets are advocacy, Social Cohesion and Community with set values, vision and mission being an integral part of the fabric of Australia.

Some of the issues to be tackled by workshops and expos are problems arising in the Queensland community such as drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, domestic violence, SES training, mental health issues, youth problems and the list goes on. The members will also support events held by member organizations by working cooperatively.

On Saturday 27 August 2022, Queensland Muslims Inc held their first official function in the form of a Citizenship Ceremony in the hall of the Islamic college of Brisbane.

Dr Jim Chalmers, the Federal Treasurer, was the presiding officer in the ceremony in which one hundred people from thirty-six countries received Australian citizenship.

A highlight of the event was a little twoyear-old boy who took Centre stage waving the Australian flag which made the audience laugh. The new Australians cut a welcome cake and enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea before leaving with a plant to mark the occasion, donated by Councilor Kim Marx.

Janeth Deen is a descendant of the first five Muslim families to settle in Brisbane. She is a retired secondary teacher and is a voluntary community worker. She is the Director of the Muslim Charitable Foundation, Trustee of the Holland Park Mosque, President of The QLD Multicultural Council, co-founder and President of the QLD Muslim Historical Society. Curator of the QLD Muslim Museum and Board Director of the Islamic College of Brisbane.

Brainstorming: Muslims’ engaging with media

Elias Attia

A media engagement dinner event was held in Burwood on Monday 5 September 2022 hosted by the Islamic Council of New South Wales (ICNSW) as part of its Islamic Awareness Month campaign in September providing opportunities for the journalism community to interact with community members interested in engaging with the media and addressing Islamophobia.

The event served to educate journalists about Islam and the Muslim community by introducing them to new Muslim faces and good news stories as a way to counteract negative stories about the community.

It also introduced young Muslim journalists/graduates and students to senior journalists exposing them to pathways into the media industry.

The event included a panel featuring Sheikh Wesam Charkawi (Abu Hanifa Institute), Khaled Sukkarieh (ICNSW), Nabil Al Nashar (ABC) and Helen Vatsikopolous (Walkley Foundation/UTS) exploring whether and how the divide between the Muslim community and the media can be bridged.

At times apprehensions in the room was high as the Muslim speakers raised difficult issues in their engagement with the media and what a solution are possible when moving forward. These are the difficult conversations we had to have to ensure communities and media organisations can better engage with each other.

The panel was moderated by Fauziah Ibrahim, co-host of ABC’s Weekend Breakfast and a veteran journalist.

Other members of the media fraternity were able to showcase their programs and how community members might want to engage them. Around 15 journalists and media professionals attended from the ABC, SBS and other news organisations.

AMUST’s Editor-in-Chief Zia Ahmad highlighted his interaction with ABC for almost four decades and appreciation for the public broadcaster for highlighting issues of concern for the Muslims and positive stories on the community.

Mrs Mehar Ahmad, President of Seena Inc, Publishers of AMUST talked about the importance of community media channels, in particular AMUST in uncovering stories that normally do not reach the news desks of larger publications.

Journalism student Boushra El Kheir was praised by her mentor Helen Vatsikopolous during the panel discussion for her citizen journalism project covering the lived experiences of Western Sydney residents living under the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns

ICNSW is changing the way we engage with media to ensure there is a pathway to improving Muslim community and media relations. This is not a one off dinner event and that was made clear to the journalists who attended. Further media engagement activities are planned in the future.

ICNSW is welcoming readers interested in these programs to contact ICNSW via email: elias@attialawyers.com.au