Sada-e-Watan Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Darulfatwa Leads United Community Response to
Domestic and Family Violence
(Report
& photos to Sada-e-Watan by: Mohamad Chams JP - Manager Darulfatwa Islamic
High Council of Australia)
Darulfatwa – the Islamic High Council of
Australia – in partnership with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice,
NSW Police, the City of Canterbury Bankstown, Metro Assist, and Justice Support
Centre, proudly hosted a landmark seminar titled “Community Response to
Domestic and Family Violence” at Salamah College Grand Hall, Chester Hill
Sydney on Thursday, 9th Oct 2025.
This pivotal event brought together religious
leaders, government representatives, educators, service providers, and
community advocates to confront the urgent issue of domestic and family
violence (DFV) and explore collaborative, culturally informed solutions.
Powerful Voices and Shared
Purpose
The seminar featured impactful contributions
from leading voices, including:
• The Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, Minister
for Women, Seniors, and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Minister Harrison emphasised that no single
institution can solve DFV alone, calling for a united, whole-of-community
approach. She commended Darulfatwa’s leadership in bringing together diverse
stakeholders to address this critical issue.
• Dr Sheikh Ibrahim El Shafie, Deputy
Chairman of Darulfatwa
In a stirring address, Dr El Shafie declared:
“We do not want broken homes. We do not want
wounded hearts. We do not want a future built on fear and silence.”
He urged all sectors to uphold justice,
mercy, and compassion, drawing on the ethical teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and other revered prophets. Dr El Shafie
highlighted Darulfatwa’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a righteous society
through education, youth engagement, and community welfare—anchored by over 27
affiliated organisations across Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
• Dr Anne Cody, Australia’s Sex
Discrimination Commissioner
• Tara Neufeld, Director, Office of the
Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Policy and Commissioning, DCJ
• Superintendent Robert Toynton, Auburn
Police Area Commander
• Mr Gareth Wyatt, Chair, Canterbury
Bankstown Domestic Liaison Committee (DFV statistics presentation)
Additional parliamentary attendees included
Ms Julia Finn MP, Mrs Tina Ayyad MP, Dr David Saliba MP, and Ms Kylie Wilkinson
MP, who expressed strong support for Darulfatwa’s initiative and the importance
of community-led responses to DFV.
Key Seminar Highlights
The program featured a range of insightful
presentations and interactive discussions:
• Coercive Control in Multicultural
Contexts – Ms Farah Assafiri, Southwest Sydney WDVCAS
• Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships –
Jasmine Mguizra, Metro Assist
• Law Enforcement and DFV – Detective
Chief Inspector Allyson Fenwick, NSW Police
Fenwick’s presentation highlighted NSW
Police’s proactive engagement with multicultural communities and their
commitment to prevention, officer wellbeing, and career development.
• Community Advocacy and Policy
Engagement – Sandy Al-Aweik and Anne Mangan, DCJ
This session included the Darulfatwa Call to
Action and a dynamic roundtable discussion, generating practical ideas and
community-driven strategies.
A Shared Vision for Safer
Communities
The seminar served as a vital
platform to:
• Raise awareness of DFV and its impact
on families and children
• Share referral pathways and legal
processes for victims and offenders
• Equip community leaders with service
knowledge and resources
• Promote the NSW Religious Leaders’
Policy Against DFV
Attendees included school
principals, educators, departmental officials, and respected religious and
civic leaders. The event fostered meaningful dialogue, education, and unity in
the collective effort to end domestic and family violence.
Minister Jodie Harrison MP
Hon. Tina Ayyad MP
Jhon. Julia Finn MP
Dr David Saliba MP
Hon. Kylie Wilkinson MP
Superintendent Robert Toynton
Detective Chief Inspector Allyson Fenwick
Dr Sheikh Ibrahim El Shafie
Mr Gareth Wyatt
Mr Hani Skaf
Community
Response to Domestic and Family Violence
Detective Chief Inspector Allyson Fenwick NSW Police
Sam Borka, Michelle Kim, Tara Neufeld, Hon. Minister Jodie
Harrison MP, Mohamad Chams
Hon. Julia Finn MP, speaking at the event
Darulfatwa
Leads United Community Response to Domestic and Family Violence
