Published: 4 November 2016
Last updated: 4 March 2024
The launch was attended by many well-wishers and a number of dignitaries, including the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, Federal MP and former Heritage and Environment Minister Tony Burke, local NSW MP Jihad Dib, and former ALP member of the NSW Legislative Council, and long-time supporter of the Muslim community, Helen Westwood AM. Sheikh Ahmed Abdo offered blessings for the occasion and provided an impressive, live English translation of the Mufti’s speech, which was delivered in Arabic, with pauses for translation.
Pioneering organisation
Three decades ago, when the MWA was founded, public awareness and understanding of Islam and of Australia’s Muslims from many backgrounds was minimal. Over the years since, however, the MWA has achieved much in creating informed and positive perceptions of Islam, Australian Muslims and Muslim women in particular, through its tireless advocacy and outreach, including initiatives and programmes for community development and settlement support, homelessness and domestic violence relief, and youth empowerment.
Paving the Way honours the pioneering spirit and creativity of past generations of Australian Muslim women and the significance of their contributions to the Muslim community and mainstream society.
Over the years, the MWA has offered safety, security and opportunity for many Muslim women and families, and also provided services and help to many Australians not of the Muslim faith. Part of its philosophy is that all women should have a voice and be able to live in a safe and secure environment, regardless of race, colour, or creed.
Among the MWA’s most notable achievements was the establishment of Australia’s first Muslim women’s refuge, the Muslim Women Support Centre (MWSC), in 1988. Prior to opening of the Centre, the MWA was already providing counselling, support, and accommodation to victims of domestic violence, including vulnerable children.
During the 80s and 90s, the organisation helped to shape government policies regarding the establishment of a Muslim foster care program, and the MWA is now regularly consulted by State and Federal departments and devotes much of its energy to writing policy submissions.
As part of its youth empowerment initiative, the MWA helped to launch Reflections magazine in 2003. Written by and for young people, Reflections provides Muslim youth with a platform to get their views out into the community and at last week’s launch of Paving the Way, several young Muslims spoke movingly about the mentoring and encouragement they had received from older members of the MWA.
Changing hearts and minds
Maha Krayem Abdo OAM is a community leader and CEO of the MWA. She said she was extremely proud of what MWA members had been able to achieve over the years.
“We have had great support from amazing people along the way. It’s been a journey of trial and at times heartache, but we have succeeded in making people rethink the role of women in Islam through our deeds. However, we still have a lot of work to do. We have to constantly provide leadership and challenge public perceptions.”
Speaking to The Jewish Independent, Maha said the MWA would continue to expand its mentoring programs and to provide a safe place for all women, regardless of who they are and where they’ve come from.
Asked about the return of Pauline Hanson and her One Nation colleagues to the Senate, Maha said:
“There will always be challenges in the way we are perceived, but our organisation is strengthening Australian Muslim women to own their narrative rather than have it dictated to them by those in the media or politics with their own agendas.
We’ve been here for 33 years now and over the past decade we’ve really branched out into the wider community in the most non-sectarian and non-religious way possible. Our model is about family restoration and treating each family member with dignity and respect.”
In respect of Australia’s current refugee policies and the Turnbull Government’s decision to impose a life ban on entry on anyone coming to Australia by unauthorised sea voyages, Maha felt words are not going to be enough to change that situation. “Closing all avenues of safety for those seeking asylum is both inhumane and incomprehensible,” she said. “There’s a total lack of leadership on this issue. So many people are genuinely concerned but no one seems to be listening.”
High praise from all speakers
One thing that absolutely came across from all speakers on the day was their genuine affection for the MWA and their admiration for what it has been able to achieve.
Tony Burke said the launch of Paving the Way was a dream come true. “As Heritage Minister, I thought it was important that, along with indigenous and convict stories, we start to record the story of Western Sydney through the eyes of the people and organisations that have shaped it. They are part of the Australian story and you can’t make sense of modern Australia without their story also being told,” he said. “The strength of this organisation goes way beyond applications for grants. Your story is our story, so thank you for telling our story.”
Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed said Islam is often placed under the microscope for wrong reasons and there is a misguided impression in the general community that Islam oppresses women. “The work of the MWA shows just how strong our women are. When I first arrived in Australia, I came here and immediately saw how dedicated and committed these women are to the improvement of people’s lives and the education of the wider community.”
This The Jewish Independent article may be republished if acknowledged thus: ‘Reprinted with permission from www.thejewishindependent.com.au ’
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