Ms McCARTHY - 2005-08-23
I note that the Commonwealth government has convened a summit with representatives of Australia’s Islamic community. There is no representation from the Northern Territory’s Islamic community. What is the government doing to ensure that the Islamic community is engaged in what is happening nationally and locally?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Please allow me to start with a traditional Islamic greeting – Assalamu alaikum warahmat tullah hi wabaraikatul, may the peace and blessing of God be with you. That is the greeting Dr Hassan Bajhau gave to the audience when he delivered his presentation ‘Understanding Islam: A vView from Within’, on Thursday, 11 August, in front of many people from Darwin and distinguished guests such as the Commissioner of Police and the Mayor of Darwin.
The Islamic community in Darwin and the Northern Territory is an important part of our society. Like many of us, they came from somewhere else and made Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, their home. They are bringing up their families, working hard and contributing to the wealth and growth of the Northern Territory. Like all decent Australians, they are appalled by the threats and activities of terrorists, especially people who claim to be Muslims and commit atrocities around the world.
Recently, I had a meeting with members of the Islamic community. I met with Mr Nurul HuqNurel Alhuck, the Chairman of the Islamic Council of the Northern Territory; Dr Waqar Ahmead, nominated ChairmanPresident of the Islamic Society of the Northern Territory; and Dr Hassan Bajhau, who is from [inaudible]Executive Member of the Islamic Society. The three leaders of the community told me they were very concerned about the front-page article ofin the Sunday Territorian ofn 14 August that presented a totally different picture of the Northern Territory Muslim community
Apparently, they were very angry about the involvement of the west within Iraq. As Dr Bajhau told me that was not what he spoke about. He actuallyhad tried to explain and inform the community about what Islam is about and what people believe. He gave me a copy of his speech which I read. I have to admit, the journalist took a lot of liberties with this article. I believe the journalist should have another look at the speech and, if possible, apologise to the community because what he actually claims here is not a true representation of what the community believes.
The Islamic community is very concerned. Following this article, there was a meeting with the community. The leaders advised me that the women were afraid to go out wearing the hijab, the traditional scarf. Some of the young people are concerned. Some of the committee members said that they are afraid that this article is going to create friction between the different communities in Darwin.
Dr BajhauAhmad told me that, after many years working at the university, on Monday when he went there, thatit was the first time people gave him the cold shoulder. He could not believe the effect that article had on relations in our community. It is very unfortunate. I know the media sometimes does not get the whole story, but at least they should make an attempt to get the whole story. I was informed the journalist was there only for the second half of Dr Bajhau’s presentation so, obviously, did not get the whole story.
What is ourthe government doing? OurThe government affirmed a its commitment to multiculturalism, and ourits support of the Islamic community. We support thatem financially. We support (inaudible)multiculturalism in the community. I have to say, I must be the only Greek Orthodox person in Darwin, Northern Territory and Australia who very often attends functions at the mMosque. Some of my colleagues down south have expressed concern and surprise. We are not supposed to do that. We are not supposed to go to an Islamic mMosque, but in Darwin we tend to be different.
We believe we are different. We accept that we are different, and we accept that we are all friends in our community in the Northern Territory. I wish to continue to be that. We should be united with the Islamic community, and we should stand side by side. After all, as the Opposition Leader said today, when a bomb explodes it will kills Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Greeks and English. Let us stay united and make sure that, in the future, the media gets their story right.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Please allow me to start with a traditional Islamic greeting – Assalamu alaikum warahmat tullah hi wabaraikatul, may the peace and blessing of God be with you. That is the greeting Dr Hassan Bajhau gave to the audience when he delivered his presentation ‘Understanding Islam: A vView from Within’, on Thursday, 11 August, in front of many people from Darwin and distinguished guests such as the Commissioner of Police and the Mayor of Darwin.
The Islamic community in Darwin and the Northern Territory is an important part of our society. Like many of us, they came from somewhere else and made Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, their home. They are bringing up their families, working hard and contributing to the wealth and growth of the Northern Territory. Like all decent Australians, they are appalled by the threats and activities of terrorists, especially people who claim to be Muslims and commit atrocities around the world.
Recently, I had a meeting with members of the Islamic community. I met with Mr Nurul HuqNurel Alhuck, the Chairman of the Islamic Council of the Northern Territory; Dr Waqar Ahmead, nominated ChairmanPresident of the Islamic Society of the Northern Territory; and Dr Hassan Bajhau, who is from [inaudible]Executive Member of the Islamic Society. The three leaders of the community told me they were very concerned about the front-page article ofin the Sunday Territorian ofn 14 August that presented a totally different picture of the Northern Territory Muslim community
Apparently, they were very angry about the involvement of the west within Iraq. As Dr Bajhau told me that was not what he spoke about. He actuallyhad tried to explain and inform the community about what Islam is about and what people believe. He gave me a copy of his speech which I read. I have to admit, the journalist took a lot of liberties with this article. I believe the journalist should have another look at the speech and, if possible, apologise to the community because what he actually claims here is not a true representation of what the community believes.
The Islamic community is very concerned. Following this article, there was a meeting with the community. The leaders advised me that the women were afraid to go out wearing the hijab, the traditional scarf. Some of the young people are concerned. Some of the committee members said that they are afraid that this article is going to create friction between the different communities in Darwin.
Dr BajhauAhmad told me that, after many years working at the university, on Monday when he went there, thatit was the first time people gave him the cold shoulder. He could not believe the effect that article had on relations in our community. It is very unfortunate. I know the media sometimes does not get the whole story, but at least they should make an attempt to get the whole story. I was informed the journalist was there only for the second half of Dr Bajhau’s presentation so, obviously, did not get the whole story.
What is ourthe government doing? OurThe government affirmed a its commitment to multiculturalism, and ourits support of the Islamic community. We support thatem financially. We support (inaudible)multiculturalism in the community. I have to say, I must be the only Greek Orthodox person in Darwin, Northern Territory and Australia who very often attends functions at the mMosque. Some of my colleagues down south have expressed concern and surprise. We are not supposed to do that. We are not supposed to go to an Islamic mMosque, but in Darwin we tend to be different.
We believe we are different. We accept that we are different, and we accept that we are all friends in our community in the Northern Territory. I wish to continue to be that. We should be united with the Islamic community, and we should stand side by side. After all, as the Opposition Leader said today, when a bomb explodes it will kills Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Greeks and English. Let us stay united and make sure that, in the future, the media gets their story right.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016