NEWS DESK
Pledge of faith to country and religion CHILDREN brought up within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are being taught to be loyal to Australia. “We will prove it with our actions and deeds that our youth are the best citizens of Australia and they will be well educated,” Inamul Haq Kauser said when speaking at an Australia Day dinner. Guests at the dinner Sunday 31 January for 300 at the Baitu-us-Salam (House of Peace) Mosque, Langwarrin, included members of parliament, councillors and police. Imam Kauser, national president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, gave assurances that the children of Ahmadi Muslims “will be loyal to this country”. The imam told diners that Ahmadis were persecuted throughout the world, particularly in Pakistan, and were grateful to have been allowed to settle in Australia. He described houses and shops belonging to Ahmadi Muslims in other countries being “robbed and reduced to rubble”. Ahmadi mosques were ordered shut by local imams and authorities. “Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been killed merely for worshiping Allah or God,” Imam Kauser said. “Australia is such a great country, who has given shelter to us, who has shared our pain and suffering. We are very thankful to this country. I’ve no wordings how to convey that feelings which my community has,” Imam Kauser said. “We pledge that we’ll always be loyal to Australia. We pledge that we will always be peaceful, loving and
Loyal children: Imam Inamul Haq Kauser, below right, says children of Ahmadi Muslims will be Australia’s “best citizens”; children at the Baitu-us-Salam (House of Peace) Mosque, Langwarrin, sing the national anthem during an Australia Day dinner, above right; Fatima Usman speaks about being an Australian. Pictures: Supplied
law-abiding citizens of this country. We remember very well the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad: The Love of your country is a part of your faith. With this commandment, we pledge our loyalty to Australia, to its people and its government.” Imam Kauser said Australia Day represented “a day of freedom”. “The announcement to the whole world that Australia is a free country and those who come and be Australians, they enjoy the freedom wherever they go,” he said.
“It is a day of celebrating peace for the victims ignored and suffered. This is like a shelter for them. It is like a homeland for them.” The event also included the raising of the Australia and Victorian flags, a recitation from the Koran and Ahmadi children singing the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair. South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said Ahmadiyya Muslims had done “a wonderful job … demystifying Islam and promoting interfaith dialogue and friendship”.
Ambassador on market THE Ambassador Hotel function centre in Frankston is being demolished but the site is back on the market after a sale at auction late last year fell through. Winning bidder Harry Matsoukas said he was “not involved with that any more” when contacted by The News last month. Lender the Jadig Group repossessed the property at 325 Nepean Highway late last year after previous owner Joanna Kordos, who had planned to build 37 apartments at the site, did not make loan payments. Jadig Group managing director Jack Gringlas said the company had decided to demolish the function centre since Frankston Council had grown increasingly frustrated with repeated failures by Ms Kordos to tear down the building, regarded as an eyesore and magnet for drug users. “I took the view that if we have to put it back on the market it’s going to be much more saleable as a vacant block,” Mr Gringlas said. Mr Gringlas said the Jadig Group is in negotiation with several potential buyers and is looking for about $2.5 million for the property.
Students back on the bus
Destroy the joint: The Jadig Group decided to demolish The Ambassador Hotel function centre before putting the site back on the market for sale. Picture: Gary Sissons
STUDENTS and trainees left stranded when the federal government cut funding for the PenBus service are now back on the road. The state government has announced a dedicated bus service between Rosebud and Monash University’s Peninsula campus. The 12-month trial service is a funding partnership between the government, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Monash University. Route 887 will begin on 22 February in time for the start of first semester, and will follow the same route as PenBus. Six express round trips a day, Monday to Friday, will connect with Monash University’s inter-campus shuttle to Clayton. The bus will also be available to the public, with stops at Rosebud, Safety Beach, Mt Martha, Mornington, Mt Eliza, Frankston station and Monash Peninsula Campus. The first service will leave Rosebud at 6.47am, arriving at Frankston station at 7.37am and the Monash University Peninsula campus eight minutes later. The last service leaves Monash University’s Peninsula campus at 6.18pm arriving at Rosebud at 7.18pm. For timetables and details, visit ptv.vic.gov.au, download the PTV app or call 1800 800 007.
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Southern Peninsula News 9 February 2016
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