AMUST
AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
www.amust.com.au ISSUE # 147
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Multicultural News & Views
FEBRUARY 2018; JAMAADIYUL OULAA 1439
Why Australia Day on 26 January?
BOOMERANG PAGE 7
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Symposium on NZ Muslims’ Plan
COMMUNITY PAGE 9
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Halal Expo Australia 2018 10-11 Feb AUSTRALIA PAGE 12
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Community healing on Australia Day Mehar Ahmad The Premier’s Western Sydney Australia Day Community Reception was held on Friday 26 January 2018 at Bowman Hall, Blacktown. The event was attended by a number of ministers, members of parliament, community leaders, aboriginal elders and performers as well as a number of Australia Day awardees. The event started with welcome in English as well as in an Aboriginal language followed by a sad song “Generational Scars” by Jacinta Tobin relating to Aboriginal stolen generations, scarring, broken hearts and quest for healing, love and peace. A comprehensive performance was given by Koomurri Aboriginal Dance Troupe that included dancing with the politicians and painting of their bodies symbolising community healing. The Premier pointed out that NSW candidates had taken out top honours in the 2018 Australian of the Year Awards, with world-renowned physicist Michelle Simmons named Australian of the Year and mathematics teacher Eddie Woo as 2018 Australia’s Local Hero. Special guests at the event also included 2018 Senior Australian Citizen of the Year, Dr Graham Farquhar and Samantha Kerr, 2018 Young Australian of the Year. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the national awards were well-deserved recognition for two of the State’s most passionate advocates for science and mathematics. “Professor Simmons has long been high-
Nominated by the NSW Premier, Minister Ray Williams gets completely involved in the Aboriginal performance and impresses the cheering crowd on Friday 26 January 2018 at Australia Day Reception. ly regarded in the scientific community and leadership in education and dynamic pres- young people to consider careers in these now her pioneering achievements will be ence in the classroom, which has seen his fields,” Ms Berejiklian said. celebrated by all Australians,” Ms Berejik- “Wootube” internet videos attract more than lian said. 10 million views worldwide. More photos of the Australia Day ReCherrybrook Technology High School “These wins are going to raise the profile ception: Page 2. head mathematics teacher and Youtube star of the importance of science and teaching Eddie Woo had received awards for his in communities across Australia and inspire
Divisive Invasion Day protests across the nation awkwardly waving little plastic Australian flags. In Sydney, protesters joined two events: Over 60,000 people marched in Mel- the Long March for Justice Through Treaty, bourne in the biggest gathering of a series a recreation of the 1988 march from Redfern of protests across the country on Friday to Hyde Park, and an Invasion Day march 26 January 2018, dubbed as Invasion from the Block in Redfern to Victoria Park. Day. A smaller crowd of several hundred The massive crowd surpassed expecta- turned out for the Justice Through Treaty tions and exceeded numbers at the official march, which featured a series of powerful Australia Day parade on the same day. speeches from the Shadow Human Services In other major cities, marches were also Minister, Linda Burney, and the Australian held celebrating Indigenous resistance, call- Council of Trade Unions secretary, Sally ing for action on the Uluru statement and McManus. urging an end to “racist” and harmful govMcManus called for an end to the commuernment policies. nity development program in remote comTogether they presented a voice that or- munities. She labelled it deeply racist and ganisers said could not be ignored. said it ought to be abolished. The tens of thousands in Melbourne “It’s a racist program because it is only in marched under the banner of “abolish Aus- rural and remote areas, 80% of the people in tralia Day”. the program are Indigenous and they have Gary Foley, leading Indigenous activist to work 25 hours a week, compulsory work, said “I haven’t seen a crowd like this since no sick leave, no annual leave, no workers’ the 1970’s.” compensation, no minimum wage,” said “If we keep mobilising these sort of num- Sally Mcmanus, prompting cries of “shame” bers, governments cannot ignore us.” he fur- from the crowd. ther added. It’s just a matter of time, as more AustralOutnumbering the Australia Day parade, ians are getting behind the protest to move the Invasion Day crowd chanted “no pride Australia Day to another day. in genocide” as they walked past with the More on Australia Day/Invasion Day parade spectators watching the protest and controversy on pages 7, 10. Dispose of this paper thoughtfully - PLEASE RECYCLE Zia Ahmad
Invasion Day protest in Melbourne, Australia on Friday 26 January 2018. Proudly Printed in Australia by Spotpress Pty Ltd