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UNIONS IN IFTAR 2019

The Honourable Bob Carr

Hon Prof Bob Carr was Chief Guest of the Interfaith Iftar dinner at historical Trades Hall Sydney City

Unions in Unison Iftar was held at the historical Trades Hall Sydney CBC on Thursday 8 May 2019 with a large number of ministers of faiths present. This was the second annual Unions in Unison Interfaith Iftar and was hosted by the Secretary of Unions NSW, Mark Morey, the Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Richard Olsen and the South Asia Labor to celebrate the diversity in the Australian Society.

Aisha Amjad

Master of ceremony Aisha Amjad called the event to the order. A call to prayers was performed with an opportunity for those who wanted to pray before breaking the fast.
Aisha Amjad spoke to about the reasons for a joint Iftar by Trade Union movement and South Asia Labor.

Harish Velji

She called upon Mr Harish Velji to welcome the guests on behalf of the South Asia Labor and also to represent co-host Richard Olsen Secretary Transport Workers Unions of NSW.
Harish Velji noted that the Liberal Party was working very hard to demonise unions. He also noted that one has seen recent increase in attack to multiculturalism the Liberal Government and which has backing of Pauline Hanson Fraser Anning and the like.

“I take this opportunity to thank Aisha Amjad who made this event possible. She single handedly has contributed 90% of this event.”
Mr Velji went ahead to introduce the South Asia Labor team.

Mr Mark Morey

Mr Mark Morey thanked Harish Velji and Aisha Amjad in organising the and acknowledged the presence of interfaith, community leaders and politicians.
Mr Mark Morey very strongly spoke against the terrorism attack in Christchurch. He also said that the Unions NSW made a concerted effort after this incident to speak out when people are targeted.

“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we will not remain silent and we support community to be together since we are a diverse community. We have always been a diverse community and people who say racist slurs weakens our community,” Mark Morey said.

He further added, “By coming out together, tonight is very strong statement of working together and building bridges in our multicultural community.”

Whilst introducing the longest serving Premier of NSW and also the former Foreign Minister Hon Prof Bob Carr to speak Aisha Amjad noted that it was Hon.Bob Carr who organised the first parliamentary Iftar in 2004 inviting members of the Muslim Community together with other interfaith leaders to the NSW parliament.

Bob Carr condemned the recent attacks on places of worship and welcomed the interfaith gathering in making a statement of unity in diversity.

Syed Zafar Hussain with Hon. Bob Carr

Hon. Bob Carr highlighted the plight of 800,000 Rohingya refugees and hoped that the newly elected government will make strong representations for them to be fully given the citizenship of Myanmar in the near future.

Hon. Prof Bob Carr

Hon. Prof Bob Carr also informed of the resolution in support of Palestine State at the Labor Party State Conference and followed by at its National Conference.
He highlighted the plight of 800,000 Rohingya refugees and hoped that the newly elected government will make strong representations for them to be fully given the citizenship of Myanmar in the near future.

Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane

Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane, NSW MLA of Lebanese origin reflected upon his role in having Koran and Bhagwat Geeta being donated to the NSW Parliament
Acting Leader of the NSW Labor Party Hon.Penny Sharp reinforced the importance of Multiculturalism.

Prof Bob Carr

Hon.Penny Sharp

Hon.Shaoquett Moselmane

Sheikh Bilal Homaysi

Mohamad Chams

Mr Harish Velji and Aisha Amjad

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