Thousands attend Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers at Lakemba Mosque

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“Jihad Dib may be the first Muslim Cabinet Minister in this state but he most certainly will not be the last,” Premier Minns concluded.

Federal government Ministers and local MPs Tony Burke and Jason Clare are both great friends of the LMA and have been regular attendees at Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Lakemba for many years. Mr Burke represented Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at this year’s blessed event.

The current Leader of the House and Employment Minister, Mr Burke thanked Muslims “for a month of fasting, a month of acts of charity and a month of prayer.”

“Twenty years ago when I first joined you here, there were media stories and constant attempts by some members of parliament to undermine our community….to view us as something less than what we are,” Mr Burke said.

“But that is now starting to turn. Finally, we are seeing positive news stories about Muslims in our community, (positive news stories) about the Lebanese Muslim Association, and we are seeing acts of generosity.”

“As I move around Australia, I am hearing people say, ‘oh, you live in Punchbowl…. you represent Lakemba, that must be an incredible place to live’!”

“And it’s our community which has led this turnaround and which is now an example to the rest of Australia that multicultural Australia – and communities led here in so many ways by Muslim Australia – represent the best of modern Australia.”

“I now sit in a Cabinet room that involves Ed Husic as a Muslim Minister in a federal government and Anne Aly also as a Minister….and she grew up here in Lakemba.”

NSW Liberal MP Mark Coure complimented the LMA on working with the previous state government and acquiring an aged care centre in Bankstown which is being upgraded to benefit the elderly in our community.

He also acknowledged the Liberal member for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad, the NSW parliament’s first female Muslim member of the Lower House.

An LMA board member himself many years ago, Jihad Dib also received a warm welcome at the podium, commencing his address by stating, “May all your prayers, duas, fasting and acts of charity be accepted.”

Mr Dib also praised the way the Muslim community has opened up its hearts and its doors to everybody and added: “Modern, multicultural Australia is a place for everybody, where everybody has a part to play and where everybody’s role is just as important as everybody else’s.”

“I stand here incredibly proud to be the first Muslim MP (sworn in) holding the family’s Holy Qur’an and I did this to send a message that everybody belongs.”

“You belong no matter where you come from, no matter what your faith is, no matter what colour your skin is and no matter what language you speak.”

Commenting on the phenomenal crowd, Mr Dib told this writer later in the morning: “I’ve been attending Eid Prayers here since I was a kid and this would have to be the largest crowd I can ever remember.”

Open-air Taraweeh prayers in Lakemba: A historical moment

From teacher to Minister: Jihad Dib becomes NSW’s first Muslim Minister in landmark appointment

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Jihad Dib is also recognised for his previous service on the Australia Day Council of New South Wales, the New South Wales Police Commissioner’s Advisory Panel, and the SBS Community Advisory Committee. He was awarded a Pride of Australia award in 2013.

In a historic moment, Jihad Dib was sworn in on the Holy Quran in front of NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, as he assumed the role of NSW’s Minister for Customer Service & Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice.

Jihad Dib expressed his gratitude and honour in a Facebook post after being sworn in, saying, “It’s a big task, but I will do my absolute best to help make people’s lives better and to make a difference.”

He also highlighted the significance of his appointment as the first Minister of the Muslim faith in NSW, saying, “I hope this serves to inspire people that anything is possible no matter who you are, where you’re from, the colour of your skin, or the sound of your name.”

Jihad further added, “Don’t let anyone put a ceiling on your success. Thank you all for your support and for being the shoulders I can stand on.” Jihad Dib’s appointment has been seen as a positive step towards greater representation and diversity in government.