“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association is a respected organization within our city and I thank each of you that play an important role in promoting understanding and promoting harmony in our city.”
Source/Credit: AMA Australia
By Press Release | February 1, 2016
Over 300 guests from all walks of life celebrated Australia Day at Baitu-us- Salam (House of Peace) Mosque in Langwarrin
On Sunday 31 January 2016, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Victoria held its annual Australia Day Dinner to commemorate Australia Day celebrations at their Bait-us-Salam (House of Peace), in Langwarrin.
The dinner was attended by more than 300 guests including state MPs, mayors, councilors, local government officials, interfaith leaders, members of Victoria Police, council generals, university lecturers and neighbours.
A flag hoisting ceremony of the Australian National Flag and Victorian Flag was held outside Bait-us-Salam Mosque, which was led by National President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia, Imam I.H. Kauser.
Children of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Victoria were given an opportunity to come on stage to express their feelings of what it takes to be an Australian.
Guests were shown a multimedia presentation of the community’s peace initiatives, presented by its Department of Public Affairs. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia actively promotes peace and inter-religious harmony, and campaigns to convey the peaceful message of Islam, through all forms of print and digital media. Ahmadi Muslims in Australia are engaged in grassroots efforts to distribute leaflets thousands of ‘Peace’ to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, host peace symposia and Quran exhibitions, to present its true and noble teachings.
Various dignitaries spoke about the importance of Australia Day and praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for reaching out to the community and promoting peace and interfaith dialogue.
President of The Victorian Legislative Council, Hon Bruce Atkinson said:
“What is significant about this particular Community, led by your Imams taking up the traditions that have been so well established, drawing on the wisdom of the Quran, you have been able to promote a process that everyone should learn from.”
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Hon Inga Peulich said:
“I’d would like to always applaud the Ahmadis who’ve done a wonderful job in reaching out to the community, in demystifying Islam and promoting interfaith dialogue and friendship, all that we stand for, so I am always very grateful to be able to come along.”
Member of Victorian Legislative Council, Southeast Metropolitan Region, Ms Nina Springle said:
“Thank you for your kind invitation to speak to you today and also on behalf of the Southeastern Metropolitan Region, the people who live here whom I represent, thank you all for your contribution to our vibrant multiculturalism.”
Mayor of the City of Casey, Cr Sam Aziz said:
“I thank you so much for having me here today. I look forward to more continued success from your wonderful community and I look forward also to more participations throughout 2016 in all your events that continue to promote harmony between all Australians.”
Mayor of the City of Kingston, Cr Tamsin Bearsley said:
“Keep spreading your message of peace and ‘Love For All Hatred For None’. This has been an incredibly inspiring afternoon. So please let us know how we can support your mission. We are truly grateful for all the work you do. Australia is a stronger, more connected community because of you. We are blessed to be here today. Thank you.”
Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Heang Tak said:
“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association is a respected organization within our city and I thank each of you that play an important role in promoting understanding and promoting harmony in our city.”
Other guest speakers who took the stage include Frankston City Council’s Cr Glenn Aitken; Former Mayor of Frankston City Council, Cr Darren Taylor; Dr Ali Khan of Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation; Pam Mamouney of City of Casey’s Interfaith Network; Mr Tsebin Tchen of Victorian Multicultural Commission; Mr Choudary, Mr Nirmal K. Chawdhary of Consulate General of India.
“Australia Day is a very happy day for all of us. What it means actually? To me, it is a day of freedom. The announcement to the whole world that Australia is a free country and those who come and be Australians, they enjoy the freedom wherever they go. It is a day of celebrating peace for the victims ignored and suffered. This is like a shelter for them. It is like a homeland for them.
Imam Kauser continues:
“It is a day of equality that all people are equal. And it is a day we make the announcement that we all are brothers and we are all children of the same God. It is a day of respect and honour and humanity. We pledge that we’re going to serve the humanity without any distinguish of colour, race or creed.”
Imam Kauser spoke on the subject of persecution of Ahmadi Muslims across the world, particularly in Pakistan, where majority of the community in Australia come from. He gave an account of how houses and shops belonging to Ahmadi Muslims were robbed and reduced to rubble. Ahmadi mosques were forcefully shut on the orders of local Imams and authorities. Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been killed merely for worshiping Allah or God. Imam Kauser said that Ahmadi Muslims from Pakistan are truly grateful to Australia for giving them protection and freedom of worship in their mosques.
Imam Kauser said:
“Australia, you comforted us. You gave us a protection. Your favours on our lives and the lives of our future generations are priceless for us. We are free here in Australia. You have welcomed us with open arms. And we are forever grateful to you.”
He continued:
“Australia is such a great country, who has given shelter to us, who has shared our pain and suffering. We are very thankful to this country. I’ve no wordings how to convey that feelings which my community has.”
Imam Kauser said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is teaching its children to be loyal to the country and training them to be the best citizens of Australia.
Imam Kauser said:
“We will prove it with our actions and deeds that our youth are the best citizens of Australia and they will be well educated. They will be loyal to this country. They will be serving to the best of their capabilities. They will be sincere. They will be humble and you will be proud of them.”
He continued:
“We pledge that we’ll always be loyal to Australia. We pledge that we will always be peaceful, loving and law-abiding citizens of this country. We remember very well the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “The Love of your country is a part of your faith.’ With this commandment, we pledge our loyalty to Australia, to its people and its government.”
Imam Kauser said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will always be praying for this country and always be thinking for the betterment of this country.
Ending his speech with prayers, Imam Kauser said:
“Let’s pray for the prosperity and protection of this great country. We also pray that may the citizens of this country always live in peace, harmony and affection. May God bless this land and its people. May He enable us to always protect and serve in the cause of this great country. God Bless Australia. God Bless Australia.”
The program ended with silent prayers led by Imam Kauser followed by dinner.
-- Australia Day Celebrated: Love of Country is Part of Faith
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