Minister Hon. Mark Coure and Hon. Lynda Voltz speaks at the Conference
Shia National Network of Australia Inc. had arranged the second follow up Youth Empowerment Conference in Muhammad Rasulullah Centre, known as Australian Afghani Hasnain Youth Association at Regents Park, Sydney on Saturday, 19th of November 2022.The Lynda Voltz MP, Member of from Auburn and state Minister for Multiculturalism and Senior citizens Hon. Mark
Coure, MP were the special guest of the event. Sayed Kamran Zaidi was MC of the conference.
This conference was a follow up of the first conference held in Ahl Albait Islamic Centre in Auburn on the 17th of July, 2022. In that conference 87 Muslim Youth from all universities and senior students of Weekend schools were asked to share their concerns & issues to the community. They were later on categorised in to Educational, Social, Religious and General Issues.
The conference started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by youth reciters Fatima Derani and Hussain Derani.
The first speaker Miss Rawasy Al Zoubaidi responded to the demands of the youth and their general issues. She informed that the demand of the youth to extend the canvas of the Network has been carried out and its delegates have been appointed in other states. Miss Rawasy Al Zoubaidi said that English programs are put on Network’s Website Community directory and the data base is on the agenda of the Network.
Discussing the tools in the hands of youth to combat the educational issue, Sayed Zawar (President of SNNA) suggested that the cases of any kind of bullying should be reported to the Grievance Officer in the institutions for stick immediately action for protection.
Mr Sayed Zawar Hussain Shah said that since years, we are focused on challenging hot topics of our young generation. We believe that swimming classes for Muslim girls are negotiable. After consultation with various social workers, Educational experts and students of different levels, we can suggest in this public platform that parents of the drop out students should contact the local TAFE for the pathways. Sayed Zawar said that on the behalf of the outcome of previous youth conference, we demand that Mosques and Islamic Centres should create youth drop in facilities where the youth can complete their assignments and do research as required. The community organisations should undertake more youth camps, educational, recreational and sporting activities. Islamic scripture in public schools should be more organised on professional level. Prayer rooms in institutions are negotiable.
Hajeh Maha Aboud, the CEO of the Muslim Women Association Inc. talking about the social tools discussed different aspects of Islamophobia. She explained her personal experiences that how she was confronted with the Islamophobia. She advised the youth to use patience, tolerance, understanding and wisdom to deal with such situations. She referred to the Islamophobia registered which the victims could make use of. Hajeh Maha deliberated on the injurious effects of media on the youth.
She also discussed the increasing gap between the parents and the youth. She said that Muslim are Muslim and should not be influenced by untoward social influences. She quoted Sayeda Fatima Zahra's a role model for our young women.
Dr. Sheikh Hossein Javaheri referring to the issue of the reasons for the deterioration of faith in youth recited a verse from the Holy Quran and said it would not happen to us if we have complete EIMAN in Allah as narrated by the Household of the Holy Prophet. It entails morality and tolerance to others. He referred to various Quranic verses through his power point presentation and elaborated that how a Muslim should behave in various situations especially with the neighbours.
The Honourable Mark Coure, Minister for Multiculturalism explained the steps taken by NSW Government for the Multicultural communities. He said that amount of grants in this respect have been increased by 70 million in addition to the existing allocation. The present New South Wales government has increased the number of interpreters and translators. The Minister praised the role of Muslim in Australia. In particular he appreciated the initiative of Shia network to do the youth development.
Minister Hon. Mark Coure said that NSW Government has set up an Advisory Council for the Religious Communities and NSW Interfaith Domestic and Family Violence Declaration with the collaboration of faith leaders.
At the end, the Minister Mark Coure handed plaques to the volunteers for their excellent work and media coverage. A plaque was presented to the Minister by Dr. Sheikh Hossein Javaheri, the media spokesperson of the network.
Lunch was provided by the management of Muhammad Rasulullah and the prayer was led by Dr Sheikh Hossein Javaheri.
