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South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) celebrated Eid Milan on 11 Sept 2011 at Auburn Town Hall to mark Eid ul Fitr. A few parliamentarians, a large number of elderly, their families, and representatives from aged care industry, SAMAA members, volunteers and friends attended the event with much enthusiasm and joy. It was another event organised by SAMAA for the aged of South Asian Muslim community who keenly wait for SAMAA programmes as an opportunity to meet their contemporaries, learn from information sessions and enjoy cultural entertainment.

Hon Laurie Ferguson, the renowned labor politician and federal MP applauded SAMAA for engaging in an aged care programme at the right time, as the South Asian Muslim community’s aged are now maturing in numbers. He said some of the communities in the past did not act at an appropriate time and some of their elderly missed out on the opportunity of enjoying culturally appropriate care. He assured full support to SAMAA in all its endeavors.

Auburn MP and Shadow Minister for Ageing Hon Barbara Perry congratulated all for Eid and commended the work of SAMAA executives for their dedication in serving their community. She promised ongoing support to SAMAA and received loud applause from the audience for a very fine speech.

Ms Carol Jackson from Care Connect gave a brief presentation about their aged care programmes. Care Connect has several federal and state funded programmes, which support frail older people and arrange various services. Auburn councilor Melikeh Michaels spoke about a few developments in the aged care arena and encouraged the audience to participate in those programmes where needed. She also described the importance of elderly care in Islamic teachings.

SAMAA official Mr Zahid Jamil told the audience that SAMAA has travelled a long distance over the last year in meeting several of its objectives. SAMAA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with another nursing home in Lakemba viz Wallgrove Aged Care facility. Therefore SAMAA now has arrangements with two nursing homes which are able to provide culturally appropriate care to South Asian Muslim elderly. The other facility of Curie nursing home is located in Oatlands.

SAMAA has also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CareConnect, a major service provider who will be able to look after the elderly living at their homes. CareConnect is applying for funding in current Aged Care Approval Rounds for various regions of Sydney and NSW and depending upon the success of their funding applications, they will be able to provide various aged care services in various areas of Sydney with special focus on South Asian Muslims.

Mr Jamil spoke about the workshops being held by SAMAA and CareConnect this year which are a part of the Positive Ageing Grant 2011 of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare NSW. In total 10 workshops are to be held. Five have already been held at Blacktown, Brighton Le Sands, Hornsby, Campbelltown and Liverpool. He expressed great satisfaction as all the workshops have been extremely successful, attended by more people than expected. In each workshop, the main presentation is from Alzheimer’s Australia. SAMAA also engages a community doctor to speak on one more aged care related issue. Local Aged care product suppliers and product providers have stalls to exhibit their products and services. They also give brief presentations. The next workshop is to be held at the hotel Rydges in Wollongong on 30 Sept. Please visit the SAMAA website for full details of upcoming workshops.

Zahid Jamil informed the audience that SAMAA is now officially a public benevolent institution and donations to SAMAA are now tax deductible. He hoped that the South Asian Muslim community will come forward in making donations which will help SAMAA in strengthening its programmes. One of the major item needing donations is the building of a nursing home and a retirement village which needs huge sums of money. He said that the South Asian Muslims have donated big amounts for building the mosques and we now need to develop a belief that we must build a facility where our elderly can live as per their beliefs and practices and are able to have social interaction with their contemporaries and achieve some mental peace despite the difficulties of old age. He emphasised that building such a facility is an act of great sawab (reward in life hereafter).

He paid tributes to those SAMAA elderly who passed away over past few months. These included the senior most South Asian Begum Aliya Khatoon Siddiqui, Dr Badar Qadri, Mr Ali Hussein Siddiqui and Mrs Inayat Abdi.

He said that the Productivity Commission Report on inquiry into aged care, which included a submission from SAMAA and has been released a few weeks back, has recommended major changes in the Aged care industry. SAMAA will be informing the community about these changes through its newsletters. He thanked MLC Hon Shaoquett Moslemane for his speech in NSW Parliament to acknowledge SAMAA. He thanked other parliamentarians including Hon Laurie Ferguson and Hon Barbara Perry for their support and advice.

Moulana Nazir Thanvi presented Islamic perspective of serving the elderly. A renowned Pakistani singer Mrs Shagufta Zia thrilled the audience with a Hamd and a folk song and a few local Urdu poets recited poetry. MC Dr Mohammad Ali Khan engaged the audience in a professional manner to ensure the show continued to be interesting. The seniors also took part in an interesting quiz conducted by Sadia Siddiqui and won several prizes. They also enjoyed delicious sub-continental food and Eid sweets.

Mr Syed Afzal Hussain, in his vote of thanks, appreciated the efforts of SAMAA members and volunteers and thanked all the dignitaries, elderly and guests. The organising team members need to be congratulated for their very fine effort who included Mrs Mona Zahid, Mr Syed Afzal Hussain, Mr Mohammad Fazli, Mr Sahir Syed, Miss Sarah Syed, Dr Samiuddin Syed, Mrs Ayesha Ahmad, Mrs Shaheen Firdos, Dr Mohammad Ali Khan, Mr Faiz Ahmad, Dr Ahad Khan, Mr Zahid Jamil, Ms Syra Buksh, Mr Adil Saif, Mr Saif Ahmad, Mr Parmoon Shuja, Mr Omar Khan, Mrs Irmi Khan, Mrs Uzma Husseini, Mr Sharjeel Aleemullah, Mr Tabish Aleemullah, Master Adel Hussain, Miss Alia Hussain and Miss Simmi Zahid.

Apart from lots of  fun and entertainment such as Urdu poetry & songs, this event will also feature couple of talks on aged care issues.

At SAMAA, we are looking for talented elderly people who may be willing to present/perform on the stage. They will be encouraged to perform at SAMAA functions.  For more information, Please ring 95439769, 88246435 M 0414334613.

HAVE A BLESSED RAMADAN

SAMAA wishes all its elderly, volunteers, members,  their families and the Muslim Community  a peaceful and spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.

South Asian Muslim Association of Australia and a major service provider CareConnect signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 July 2011 at CareConnet office in Blacktown. The purpose of this MoU is to establish a general working agreement between the above named agencies as a framework for working in partnership on the Positive Ageing Grant and in support of all Community Aged Care services.

This MoU represents a non-legally binding expression of hope and intent for the listed agencies to work together to ensure quality aged care services for the South Asian Muslim elderly in various areas depending on availability of funding to CareConnect in the current Aged Care Approval Round (ACAR).

Background

The two agencies have expressed common interest and commitment to working together on providing information sessions about aged care services and positive ageing for the South Asian Muslim elderly community residing in the greater Sydney and regional areas.

Common Purposes and Workplace context

Care Connect is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in assessment, case management and brokerage service with funding provided by both State and Commonwealth Governments. CareConnect is a national organisation which operates in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

SAMAA aims to provide benevolent services to the Muslim elderly of South Asian Origin, negotiate their placement with provision of adequate care with existing aged care providers and build its own aged care facilities in long term.

Both agencies aim to provide quality information and aged care support services for the elderly South Asian Muslim community.

SAMAA and Care Connect agreed to cooperate in working towards enhancing access for older people from South Asian Muslim background to culturally and religiously appropriate care. SAMAA will introduce the Aged Care provider to the community members. It will also provide cultural briefings to the management and care staff.

Ms Marisa Galiazzo and Mrs Judy Jenkins from CareConnect and Mrs Mona Zahid & Dr Mohammad Ali khan representing SAMAA signed the memorandum. Mr Zahid Jamil and Ms Syra Buksh of SAMAA and several staff members of CareConnect also attended the signing ceremony.

Mr Zahid Jamil thanked everybody and hoped that this collaboration will go a long way in providing aged care services to many South Asian Muslims living at their homes.

To learn more about CareConnect, please visit their website on www.careconnect.com.au

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

]]> http://samaa.org.au/home/adjournment-speech-of-the-hon-shaoquett-moselmane-mlc/feed/ 12 http://samaa.org.au/home/jashne-buzurg-2011/ http://samaa.org.au/home/jashne-buzurg-2011/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:03:28 +0000 admin http://samaa.org.au/home/?p=291

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South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) celebrated its annual event, Jashne Buzurg 2011, on 12 March at Auburn Town Hall. Nearly 300 people, including a number of parliamentarians, representatives from aged care agencies, representatives from Islamic and South Asian community organisations along with a large number of elderly & their families, volunteers and well wishers attended the event. Federal Minister for Ageing Hon. Mark Butler sent a video message while those in attendance included  Auburn MP and Minister for Mental Health  Hon. Barbara Perry, Minister for Industrial Relations, Commerce, Energy, Public Sector Reform and Aboriginal Affairs Hon.  Paul Lynch, Minister for Transport Hon. John Robertson to represent NSW premier Hon. Kristina Keneally, first Muslim in NSW parliament MLC Hon Shoquett Moslemane, The president of Muslim Australia (AFIC) Mr Iekbal Patel, The Vice president Mr Hafez Kassem, The president of The Muslim Council of NSW Mr Amjad Mahboob, Auburn Coucillor Sr Melikeh Michales, Director of Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital Professor Perminder Sachdev, Public Trustee Fellow in Elder Law at UWS Ms Sue Field, Mrs Yasmin Syed of SBS Melbourne, Mr Rehan Alvi of SBS Sydney, representatives from NSW TACS (Transcultural Aged Care Service) and HACC (Home and Community Care).

The event commenced with introductory remarks by MC Ayesha Ahmad and recitation of Holy Quran by Maulana Nazir ul Hasan Thanvi. The first segment featured the 100th birthday celebrations of the eldest South Asian Muslim, Begum Alia Khatoon Siddiqui. Alia Khatoon, lovingly called by many in the community as Ammi, was overwhlemed as her life story was told in brief by Mona Zahid and a slide show depicted some important events of her life from an early age. She was presented a flower boquet by Mrs Kaniz Fatimah and then crowned as the birthday girl who cut her 100th Birthday cake with a loud applause from the audience.

Hon. Mark Butler in his video message acknowledged SAMAA’s contribution in caring for the South Asian Muslim elderly. He spoke about our submission to the productivity commission, which had detailed specific issues relating to our community and has assured his support in SAMAA’s future endeavours. He spoke of Productivity Commission Draft Report published in Jan 2011 which included recommendations into Caring for Older Australians. He also spoke of value of Multicultural Australia and current government’s commitment to it. Hon Barbara Perry was very appreciative of SAMAA’s effort and guaranteed full support from her office in achieving the objectives of SAMAA. Hon Paul Lynch astutely pointed out that old age should be celebrated rather than looked at as a burden, while stressing the need for higher resources due to the rapid growth of our ageing population. Hon. Shoquette Moslemane spoke of the multicultural nature of the NSW society, explained the structure of the South Asian Muslim community and assured SAMAA of his support for the provision of culturally appropriate care to South Asian Muslims. Hon. John Robertson was pleased to represent Premier Kristina Keneally and spoke about the importance of multiculturalism and assured support to SAMAA from Premier’s office. MC Dr Muhammad Ali Khan engaged the audience through his comments over remarks by various parliamentarians. Hon. Barbara Perry also presented SAMAA’s volunteering awards to Aamina Un Nabi for excellence in service to an elderly, and to Saminah Ahmad and Rubinah Ahmad for their volunteer technical services to SAMAA.

The guest speaker, Dr Perminder Sachdev, delivered a captivating talk on Alzhiermers Disease, detailing various critical issues and highlighting the need for both medical and psychological therapies for the aged. Alzheimer’s Disease is a common neurological disorder, impairing memory and behaviour. It usually affects those over the age of 65, and early diagnosis is important. As the disease progresses, a high level of support and care is required, and therefore such facilities are paramount in making it easier for patients and their families to cope with its implications. Ongoing physical and mental activity, healthy diet, regular health checks, a healthy social life and developing good habits are key factors in reducing the risks. Ms Sue field drew the attention of the elderly to legal issues such as wills, Centrelink benefits and aspects of various kinds of aged care accommodations.

SAMAA official Mr Zahid Jamil briefed the audience about various SAMAA programmes and its efforts in accessing facilities for South Asian Muslims from various government departments. SAMAA is seeking support and is willing to cooperate with all departments, aged care agencies and organisations in developing aged care programmes for the Muslim elderly. It seeks to inform South Asian Muslim elderly about these programmes and about their rights and opportunities to partake in these and utilize their facilities. At the same time, SAMAA is also engaged in liaising with various aged care agencies and providers about the requirements more specific to the cultural and religious needs of South Asian Muslims so that they tune their services to suit the needs of our elderly.

The audience was advised of the upcoming workshops SAMAA has arranged to conduct in various Sydney suburbs over the next seven months. These workshops will be organised by a health care agency “Care Connect” with the support of SAMAA, and are funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW as part of the Positive Ageing Grant 2011. There will be no charge for the sessions. The workshops will be held at Richmond, Blacktown, Auburn, Bankstown, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Rockdale, Punchbowl and also in country centres such as Bathurst and Tweedheads. All South Asian Muslim elderly and their families are urged to attend these workshops which will enable them to have better access to all the facilities in the area. These workshops will also provide an opportunity to the elderly to inform aged care providers in their area about their specific needs, more particularly about their religious and cultural aspects.

Mr Jamil also mentioned about SAMAA having entered into arrangements with two nursing homes in Sydney to provide culturally appropriate care to South Asian Muslim elderly.  Curie Nursing Home at Oatlands would suit community members living in Western and North Western Sydney. Whereas Wallgrove Aged Care facility at Lakemba would suit the people living in South and South Western Sydney. At both these facilities, only halal food is served. They staff South Asian employees who speak some of our languages. They also arrange for namaz and wuzu and are willing to provide care to suit our cultural needs.

One of the pertinent challenges facing SAMAA is the building of its own facility. It is a very expensive exercise which would need fund raising from the community and grants from the government. SAMAA is willing to consider that various Muslim bodies join hands and a larger facility is built to accommodate all Muslims with subsections for individual ethnic groups to cater for their food/language needs etc. SAMAA officials and the president of AFIC, Mr Ikebal Patel, intend to work together to explore such opportunities.

Targeting the parliamentarians, Zahid Jamil drew attention to the lack of funding to SAMAA from aged care departments at both the federal and state level. While other aged care agencies, such as Care Connect, have received grants from the NSW government after their introduction to South Asian Muslims through SAMAA, SAMAA itself is yet to see those dollars from concerned aged care departments. Both Federal and State governments are urged to look at the South Asian Muslim community more favorably so that SAMAA is able to provide the aged of our community what they deserve.

Currently, however, the main challenge SAMAA faces is to reach out to all the elderly of the South Asian Muslim community. For this purpose SAMAA has been running a program ‘Senior Citizens Project’ having received a grant from the NSW Community Relations Commission. A community worker has been engaged in telephone campaigns for elderly and volunteer registration. It is requested kindly that the community help SAMAA to reach out to each and every elderly of the community.

Finally, Zahid Jamil emphasized that everyone in the community can play a role, and a kind donation to SAMAA is greatly appreciated. Without community support, it will not be possible to build our own facilities, since the government offers only partial grants.  SAMAA is in the process of applying for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status and if approved, it will make donations to SAMAA tax deductible.

Following this, a short film produced by Mobinah Ahmad depicted the issues faced by the elderly of migrant communties in a humurous manner. Actors Zia Ahmad, Masood Husseini and Abu Fateh thrilled the audience by their acting. This film will soon be available on youtuble under the title ‘SAMAA Buzurg Village’.

Mr Syed Afzal Hussein monitored the whole show to ensure order and quality to the programme. Mrs Mona Zahid, Mr Afzal Hussain and Mrs Ayesha Ahamd coordinated with volunteers in various arrangements and services.

The programme also included presentations from sponsors Muslim Aid, MCCA and Crescent Travel. Two beauitiful oil paintings donated by Mrs Sarwat Husseini were auctioned. Our World Travel of Wollongong donated a gift voucher for one week stay at Makkah and Medinah for umrah trip which was won by Meraj Hussain.

The gathering enjoyed delicious sub-continental cuisine. The evening concluded with entertaining songs and ghazals by an emerging Sydney artist Beetha.

A team of volunteers continued to look after all the elderly and provide them all they needed. At SAMAA we wish to specially acknowledge very fine efforts of  Mr Faiz Ahmad, Mrs Aamina Un Nabi, Mr Mansoor Ahmad, Mr Parmoon Shuja, Mr Omar Khan, Mr Fazal Fariwala, Mr Samiuddin Syed, Mrs Irmi Khan, Mrs Mahjabeen Khan, Mrs Uzam Husseini, Mehnaz Khan, Adnan Husaini, Danish Aleemullah, Sharjeel Aleemullah, Tabish Aleemullah, Ali Bukhari, Mobinah Ahmad, Adel Hussain, Aamir Ahmad, Alia Hussain, Simmi Zahid and Azeeza Hussain.

SAMAA members Mr Kazim Hussain, Mrs Kaneez Fatimah, Mrs Firdousi Obeidullah, Mrs Shaheen Firdose, Mr Mohamad Fazli and Mr Fasihuddin Khan contributed to specific tasks to make event ordely.

SAMAA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

WITH WALLGROVE AGED CARE FACILITY

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South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) has entered into an agreement with another nursing home through signing a memorandum of understanding with Wallgrove Aged Care Facility at Lakemba. SAMAA representatives and the managers of Wallgrove Aged Care facility met on 14 December 2010 to formalise this agreement.  This memorandum of understanding sets out a framework for the collaborative delivery of culturally appropriate aged care to the South Asian Muslim community.

Wallgrove Aged Care Facility is located at 35, Yerrick Road in Lakemba at a walking distance from the main mosque. It is a 52 bed high care nursing home with some of its residents being Muslims. Only Halal food is served and It has many South Asian staff members. Accommodation consists of a mix shared, single and couples rooms that are offered to residents based on individual needs and preferences. Residents are encouraged to make their room their own by personalising it with mementos, furniture and the like. It has expansive outdoor garden areas for residents with dementia, visitors and family to enjoy at their leisure.

Ms Gilda Lacanilao, facility services manager of Wallgrove Aged Care Facility and Mrs Mona Zahid of SAMAA signed the memorandum. Mr Kazim Hussain, Syed Afzal Hussain and Mr Zahid Jamil of SAMAA and Ms Dulce Hussain from Wallgrove Aged Care facility were also present.

SAMAA and Wallgrove Aged Care Facility agreed to cooperate in working towards enhancing access for older people from South Asian Muslim background to culturally and religiously appropriate care. SAMAA will introduce the Aged Care provider to the community members. It will also provide cultural briefings to the management and care staff. Wallgrove Aged Care Facility will arrange special tours for community members to introduce them to the service.

With the signing of this MOU, SAMAA now has arrangements with two nursing homes. Curie Nursing Home at Oatlands would suit the community members living in Western and North Western Sydney. Wallgrove Aged Care facility would suit the people living in South and South Western Sydney.

SAMAA encourages all members of South Asian Muslim community to avail this facility for their elderly who are in need of nursing home care. They can contact SAMAA on 95439769 for more information or ring Wallgrove Aged Care Facility directly on      97592653.

South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) celebrated an Eid Milan on 19 Sept 2010 at Auburn Town Hall. A large number of elderly, their families, representatives from aged care agencies, SAMAA members, volunteers and friends attended the event with much enthusiasm and joy. It was another event organised by SAMAA for the aged of South Asian Muslim community who now look forward to SAMAA programmes as an opportunity to meet their contemporaries, learn from information sessions and enjoy cultural items which are designed to suit their taste. Ms Judy Jenkins from  Care Connect, a non-profit organisation specialising in elderly assessment and case management, briefed the audience of their programmes. The Blacktown office has three federally funded programmes, which support frail older people, five state funded programs and one program funded by NSW health.  They cover the areas of  Cumberland Prospect and Nepean Planning regions – Auburn, Parramatta, Holroyd, Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Penrith Hawkesbury, & Blue Mountains LGA’s. Auburn councillor Melikeh Michaels talked about her efforts in improving aged care programs in ethnic communities and described the importance of elderly care in Islamic teachings.

SAMAA official Mr Zahid Jamil told the audience that SAMAA is now well known amongst government departments and aged care agencies at both state and federal levels. Under the premises of NSW Transcultural Aged Care Service (TACS), SAMAA had signed a memorandum of understanding with Curie Nursing home to provide religiously and culturally appropriate care to South Asian Muslims. He detailed various SAMAA programs which encompass the whole package of needs of the South Asian Muslim aged including volunteer services, placement of frail elderly in nursing home, coordination with home care agencies, all incorporating culturally and religiously appropriate care apart from arranging gatherings and information sessions. SAMAA is now running email and telephone campaigns to reach out to all South Asian communities to register their elderly as well as volunteers. Urdu poetry, jokes and skits thrilled the crowd  who also enjoyed delecious subcontinental food and Eid sweets.

People willing to donate to SAMAA can deposit their contributions in SAMAA’s following accounts or visit the SAMAA website for more details. www.samaa.org.au

Benevolent Services Account: BSB: 012 081 Account Number: 901179677

Elderly Home Account:          BSB: 012 081 Account Number:  901179853

Hon Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary secretary for Multi-Cultural affairs applauded SAMAA’s stand of not promoting its officials at a public platform and assured his support to SAMAA at the federal level.

NSW Minister for ageing Hon Paul Lynch reported alarming statistics of growth of the ageing population which would demand much higher resources even at state level. Due to the multicultural nature of NSW society, he assured SAMAA of his support for provision of culturally appropriate care to South Asian Muslims.

The guest speaker Dr Gideon Caplan, head of Geriatric medicine at Prince of Wales hospital delivered a captivating talk, highlighting the need for both medical and psychological therapies for aged. A friendly, social approach fosters a suitable environment for keeping good health during old age and thus culturally and religiously appropriate care is necessary for a multicultural society such as ours.

Auburn MP and Minister for Mental Health Hon Barbara Perry was pleased to see the progress SAMAA made by involving various aged care agencies and asked the community to support SAMAA in its efforts.

SAMAA official Mr Zahid Jamil briefed the audience about various SAMAA programmes and its efforts in accessing facilities for South Asian Muslims from various government departments. He requested the Department of health and ageing to take into consideration the complexities relating toSouth Asain Mulims during next round of Community Partners programme funding. The people of South Asian ethnicity do not only come from the subcontinent (i.e. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan) but also from countries such as Fiji, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore etc. Their ancestors had migrated to these countries from the subcontinent over past couple of hundred years, yet they maintained their cultural and religious traditions in their new homelands. Many of them have migrated to Australiaover past few decades. They all share strong cultural values which is evident in their family customs and lifestyle, religious practices, the food they eat, the music they listen etc. SAMAA is trying to meet religious and cultural specific needs of these elderly.

A skit entitled “Why am I Scared” thrilled the crowd depicting challenges of old age in a humorous manner.

The gathering also enjoyed delicious sub-continental cuisine. After the dinner SAMAA officials and representatives from Trans Cultural Aged Care Service(TACS) and Home and Community Care (HACC) answered the queries of audience in an open forum. The evening concluded with some thrilling entertainment of songs and ghazals by famous Sydney artists including Riyaz Shah and Sania Saeed.

SAMAA is seeking donations from individuals, community organizations, businesses and corporations. There are two separate funds:

BENEVOLENT SERVICES FUND

This fund is utilized in providing voluntary services to our elderly.

ELDERLY HOME FUND

The raised funds will be utilized for building our own aged care facilities in long run.

SAMAA ACCOUNT DETAILS:

Bank : ANZ   A/C Name: South Asian Muslim Association of AustraliaIncorporated.

Benevolent Services Account:
BSB: 012 081 Account Number: 901179677

Elderly Home Account:
BSB: 012 081 Account Number:  901179853

Please send you cheques payable to

“South Asian Muslim Association of Australia Inc”

to SAMAA’s addess.

72 Hobart Place, Illawong NSW 2234.

If you deposit money directly into SAMAA account, please let SAMAA know via email (samaa.inc@hotmail.com) or phone (02 95439769).

Annual Event 2009

Mushaira 2009

Eid Milan 2009

Annual Event 2010

Eid Milan 2010