Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
South Asian Muslim Association of Australia Eid Milan at Auburn Town Hall Sydney
South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) held Eid Milan on 9 August at Auburn Town Hall Sydney to bring together community elders to celebrate the annual Eid ul Fitr festival. Not only elders and their families gathered in large number, several parliamentarians, representatives from aged care agencies and SAMAA members, volunteers and community members also joined in to make it a joyous occasion.
Senator Concetta Fierravanti Wells, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services Scott Morrison, Mr Laurie Ferguson, senior Labor member for Werriwa and long-time supporter of SAMAA,
Mr Shaoquett Moselmane, the first Muslim MLC in NSW Parliament representing Mr Luke Foley, the Leader of the Opposition in NSW Parliament,
Dr Geoff Lee, state MP for Parramatta representing Mr John Ajaka Minister for Ageing, Disability Services and Multiculturalism graced the occasion and delivered fine speeches. They spoke of issues relating to ageing industry, commended SAMAA for its endeavours and assured their support to the elders of South Asian Muslim Community. Mr Steve Teulan, Director, UnitingCare Ageing extended his support to SAMAA. Caroline Collins,
Deputy General Manager Operations and Margaret Russell, Relationship Manager at SummitCare gave a fine presentation “How to Navigate the Aged Care Maze” detailing various options and upcoming changes in aged care services.
Mr
Zahid Jamil of SAMAA briefed the audience about various SAMAA programmes. He
spoke of MoUs, SAMAA has signed with various aged care providers to offer
culturally and religiously sensitive care to our community elders, about the
volunteering programmes and regular cultural gatherings, SAMAA intend to hold
in coming 12 months. Syed Afzal Hussain presented an initial proposal to
establish a retirement village. SAMAA is seeking expressions of interest from
people willing to be part of this project either for the purpose of staying in
the village or for investment purpose and future use of themselves.
A
major SAMAA sponsor Crescent Wealth made a presentation about their Islamic
Superannuation Fund. Mr Zahid Jamil requested the audience that the community
members, if joining this fund, should let Crescent Wealth know about SAMMA as
the source of information. In doing so they will not only be investing in a
Sharia compliant fund but also helping the noble cause of SAMAA. He also
emphasised that members should read SAMAA’s disclaimer on the website in this
regard.
Audience
enjoyed ghazals and songs by highly accomplished singers Adil Pervez and Sadaf
Pervez. It was the first performance of the two artists since their arrival in
Sydney a few years back. They received repeated applause for their exceptional
skills from the audience.
Delicious South Asian cuisine was served in
dinner. SAMAA volunteers were present in big numbers to look after everyone. It
was another successful SAMAA event.
