Premier’s visit helps mosque members move forward MEMBERS of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community are moving on after a break-in at their place of worship, with Premier Daniel Andrews visiting the Baitul Salam mosque in Langwarrin to show solidarity. The mosque was the target of an alleged attack last month which left it with thousands of dollars worth of damage. Eight people, aged from 62 to 18, were charged over the 21 June incident. Since the alleged attack the mosque has hosted an event to promote harmony. Andrews visited the mosque last week to meet with the Imam. Mosque spokesperson Aziz Bhatti said that the Premier offered as-
sistance to the mosque to prevent future incidents. “The Premier met members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Imam of the mosque and spent more than an hour in the mosque. He visited various areas of the mosque and took keen interest in activities we carry out in regard to helping wider Australian community and in terms of our charity and social work,” he said. “The Premier also offered security and added CCTV cameras to the mosque keeping in view the recent attack on the mosque but the president of the Langwarrin mosque advised him that the community is grateful for the government’s generous offer but we already have
everything in place with cameras and security. It is Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s tradition to be a helping and lending hand for the government and the community rather than taking hand - so we appreciate the government’s offer of helping us but it would be better if the government spend this money to other needy areas and communities in need.” In a social media post Andrews said “last week I caught up with Bait-ul-Salam Mosque’s Imam, Wadood Janud. A few weeks on from the shocking attack, the mosque, and community, are bouncing back.” “But I want to be very clear - these actions have no place in our com-
munity. Ever. And Islamophobia and discrimination will never be tolerated in our state. Victoria’s Muslim community makes an important contribution to our state, every single day. You make our state stronger, fairer, and better. And our government will always have your back.” Brodie Cowburn
BAITUL Salam mosque Imam Wadood Janud with Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Supplied
A PAINTED electrical box in Frankston. Picture: Supplied
Artist finds her spark ARTIST Melanie Caple has been tasked with making Frankston’s utility boxes more appealing to the eye. Caple’s designs for the utility boxes are inspired by the Frankston landscape. Her past work has been exhibited across Australia. Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy said that Caple’s art will add “colour and vibrancy, while reminding us of Frankston City’s beautiful natural environment.” Cr Kris Bolam said “Melanie hand paints the monochrome botanical elements. These designs are then added to a digital design adding the background colours before being transferred to vinyl, which is then applied to each electrical box. The vinyl file, preparation, printing and installation is coordinated with a local company.” Artworks on eleven electricity boxes have been completed. Six more are still to come.
Plant Sale
Citrus Available ! ! e g n a R e g Hu
from
$49.95 BARE ROOT WEEPING CHERRIES
Plus
from
from
$24.95 BARE ROOT FRUIT TREES
from
$14.95 BARE ROOT BUSH ROSES
$24.95 BARE ROOT STD ROSES
WHOLESALE Plants Screening Plants from $4.95 HUGE RANGE! from $4.95
INDOOR PL ANTS AND POTS AVAILABLE *ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST
427 Coolart Road, Somerville
Phone: 5977 8912 Frankston Times
12 July 2022
PAGE 3