Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Sydney Muslims respond to the Honorable event the Birth of Prophet Muhammad
Nearly 4000 Muslims gathered at the
Homebush Olympic Park stadium Sydney on Saturday February 19, with a positive
multicultural message, curtailing rising political concerns against Islam.The
annual Mawlid celebration organized in the patronage of Darulfatwa Australia,
the High Islamic Council of Islamic jurisprudence located in Bankstown,
resonated one message: harmony.
In his agenda setting speech, Darulfatwa Australia, Chairman, Dr. Sheikh Salim
Alwan welcomed attendees, and affirmed the purpose of celebrating the birth of
Prophet Muhammad, saying:
“On this occasion, people come, from many backgrounds, with different languages,
and colours, out of great joy, celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
“ They all gather, to make it clear, to everyone, that Muhammad, the Messenger
of Allah, came with justice, mercy and kindness, as did all other Prophets, from
Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa and ^Isa.”
By 8pm, thousands of seats in the stadium filled with Muslims and non-Muslim
guests ready to receive a message of love and compassion from stage performers
of all nine Muslim participating groups.
The performers were diverse in more than one way, including the Muslim Kids
Club, and ethnic groups such as the Harari; Pakistani; Bosnian; Polynesian, and
African.
The list of honoraries present included The Hon. Linda Burney Minister for the
State Plan, and Minister for Community Services; The Hon.Paul Lynch MP Minister
for Industrial Relations Minister for Commerce Minister for Energy Minister for
Public Sector Reform Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; The Hon. Barbara Perry MP
Minister for Local Government Minister for Juvenile Justice Minister Assisting
the Minister for Planning Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental
Health); The Hon.David Borger Member for Granville Minister for Roads, and
Minister for Western Sydney , Opposition leader Mr. Barry O’Farrel represented
by Mr. John Ajaka , The Hon.Ms Julie Owens MP Federal Member for Parramatta,
Member for the Legislative Council,
Hon. Mr. Shaoquett Moselmane;
Mr.Ray Williams MP Member for Hawkesbury , Mr Victor Dominello Member for Ryde,
Mr. Tony Issa Mayor and Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Ms. Dai Le Liberal
Candidate for Cabramatta, Mr. Andrew Ferguson liberal Candidate for NSW
Legislative Council, Mr. Michael Hawatt Liberal Candidate for Lakemba , Mr. Bill
Chahine Liberal Candidate for Bankstown, labor Candidate for Parramatta Mr.
Pierre Esber , Acting High
Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Tasawar Khan
; Mr. Kiki Kusprabowo (Consul for Social and Culture) Consulate General of the
Republic of Indonesia; Islamic Charity Projects Association President Dr.
Ghayath Al-Shelh; Muslim Community Radio, President, Mr. Mohammad Mehio, and a
host of other politicians and community leaders.
Celebrations closed with a prize draw by the Muslim Community Radio 92.1FM,
handing out prizes to 2MFM program callers who entered the draw two weeks
leading to the Mawlid celebrations.
