After seeing Parliament in action in the chambers, Ahmadiyya Muslim youth were shown an exhibition on Prevention of Family Violence in Queens Hall where youths showed their support by printing the community’s motto of ‘Love For All Hatred For None’ on T-shirts.
Source/Credit: AMA Australia
By Press Release | December 9, 2015
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria visited the Parliament of Victoria to show loyalty and peace for their homeland
On Tuesday 8 December 2015, a group of 50 members from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria visited the Parliament of Victoria for the first time where they saw parliament in action, had cocktail lunch and met members of Parliament, including Honourable Robin Sott, Minister for Finance and Multicultural Affairs.
The visit started at 11.30am with members of the community being welcomed by Mr Jeremy Ratcliffe, Adviser to the Office of the Minister for Roads, Road Safety and Ports, before being taken to the public galleries of The Legislative Council and The Legislative Assembly where Parliament was sitting.
At 1.00pm, members of the community were taken to the Legislative Council Committee Room, where a cocktail lunch was served. Members were given an opportunity to meet several members of Parliament. Also in attendance at the lunch meeting was Honourable Luke Donnellan, Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety; Ms Nina Springle, Victorian Greens spokesperson; Graham Watt, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Following lunch, Ahmadi Muslim youths offered prayers in the Legislative Council Committee Room, before being given a tour of the Parliament conducted by Mr Jeremy Ratcliffe.
Graham Watt, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly said:
“I think it is fantastic that we can get so many people come to parliament. Parliament is for the people and it is not just for a certain segment. It is for everybody. And to have you guys here to interact with members of parliament is fantastic.”
Nina Springle, Victorian Greens Party spokesperson said:
“I think it is incredibly positive. It’s a wonderful turnout and I am very gratified to see that young people are so interested in politics and learning about the parliament. It is fantastic.”
Mr Kaleem Mohammed, Youth Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth of Victoria said:
“The purpose of this particular visit to the parliament as you can see is for the youth. We got close to fifty youths here and we wanted to know what goes on inside parliament. For most of us, this is the first time visiting the parliament, looking at the chambers - The Legislative Council and The Legislative Assembly. It is amazing. You always see that on TV but when you witness that in person, it is a different feeling.”Mr Abdul Qadeer Razi, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Melbourne East Chapter said:
“This is a very historic event. We are coming for the first time. This is showing solidarity with the country and we want to introduce our community. As soon as we move into the parliament house, many people have watched us, especially having the same dress and loyalty to the country, showing these ties. The main purpose is to introduce the Jamaat (Communtity).”
“It was a great experience. I have never been here. And I think that I’ve learnt the dynamics of how Parliament works. Overall it was a good experience. It was a new experience. To top it off, the food was good!”
Imam Syed Wadood Janud, Imam of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria said:
“This is an amazing and historic day, for both, the Ahmadiyya youth wing and the Victorian Parliament. Over 60 members from the youth wing have come here to not only show their utmost love and loyalty to their homeland but also learn from the honourable ministers about the government, politics and policies. But perhaps, for many including myself, the highlight was offering Islamic prayers for the first time ever in the Parliament; praying for this amazing homeland and its people, for their well-being and prosperity. It was truly a wonderful honour. God bless Australia."
The visit to the Parliament concluded at 3.00pm with a group photo session on the front steps of the magnificent building.
-- Australia: Ahmadi Muslims make historic trip to Parliament of Victoria
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