Adjournment Speech of the Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane MLC

May 14, 2011 by admin

in NSW Parliament about SAMAA

(The Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane, First Muslim MP delivered this speech on 12 May 2011 at the Legislative Council)

The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE [3.51 p.m.]: On 12 March 2011 at Auburn Town Hall I, along with the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon John Robertson, the shadow Attorney General, and shadow Minister for Justice, and member for Liverpool, Paul Lynch, the member for Auburn, other members of Parliament and many other distinguished community guests, attended the South Asian Muslim Association of Australia function known as Jashne Buzurg, or the Elderly Festival. The function was well attended by approximately 300 people, including many elderly, volunteers, officials from various non-government agencies, community representatives and members of the association.

The South Asia Muslim Association of Australia is yet another community-based organisation that is quietly contributing to the harmony and prosperity of our multicultural, multi-faith society. It was certainly uplifting to see many older members of the community joining in the annual celebration, with the highlight being the 100th birthday celebration for Aliya Khatoon. I congratulate her and the organisation, and in this National Volunteer Week I congratulate all at the association on giving up their valuable time and making the effort to provide assistance to the elderly and those who are most in need.

The South Asia Muslim Association is an incorporated association that provides various services to the elderly of the south Asian Muslim community in metropolitan Sydney. It is a non-profitable incorporated association and a public benevolent institution that strives to provide services to the elderly and disabled. It carries out its mission by interacting with relevant government and non-government bodies and all people of goodwill to develop programs to enhance the human dignity of our elderly. Its long-term objective is to build an aged persons hostel and provide culturally appropriate care to south Asian elderly with the aim of offering relief from old age, sickness, incapacity and loneliness to members of this community who come from Subcontinent nations such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan and other countries such as Fiji, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and many others.

The members’ ancestors migrated here from the Subcontinent over many decades. Like many of our communities, encouraged by State and Federal policies of multiculturalism they have successfully maintained their cultural and religious traditions and are making significant contributions to peace and harmony in our society. The association is a fitting example of the success story of community harmony and volunteering, and it is definitely a multiculturalism success story. That is thanks to distinguished Commonwealth leaders such as Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser. Their contribution to, and support for, multiculturalism has kept this great community policy alive, with the full endorsement of the former Keneally Labor Government. Following changes from the principles of assimilation in the 1960s, through to the policy of integration and then to the definitive policy change in the 1970s, Australia has moved to embrace multiculturalism and enshrined it in legislation and in institutions. Organisations such as the South Asia Muslim Association continue to reinforce community harmony, volunteering and the multicultural vision espoused by people with such nation-building foresight.

In the long term, the association aims to establish its aged care facilities such as a nursing home and a retirement village. It aims to build the nursing home by raising funds through appeals and government grants. We must do what we can to help it. I have had the pleasure of working in the community field for more than 25 years, and have supported many wonderful community institutions that serve needy people. The South Asia Muslim Association’s hard work, commitment and dedication to the community is commendable. Through its enhanced services the association has drawn people together by working towards a harmonious community, providing its members with the respect, the strengths and the dignity they deserve. Australia’s diversity is our strength. Our future is determined by our capacity to capitalise on the strengths of multiculturalism and on the hard work and commitment of volunteers and community groups such as the South Asia Muslim Association. I take great pleasure in congratulating its members on their commitment and dedication to serving those most in need and wish them every success for many years to come.

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20110512038