AMUST
AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
www.amust.com.au ISSUE # 196
/
Multicultural News & Views
MARCH 2022; SHA’ABAN 1443
India on the Brink: Preventing Genocide NEWS PAGE 2
/
PH: (02) 9158 3020
Hope: Religious discrimination bill debate BOOMERANG PAGE 6
/
Digital Newspaper Available
EMAIL: INFO@AMUST.COM.AU
AIMA launches national blood donation drive COMMUNITY PAGE 9
$2
/
Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad: Timeline & Tributes FEATURE PAGES 11 - 14
Ukraine: Western hypocrisy and inaction exposed
Khadijah wins Premier’s Harmony Medal
Mohamed Ainullah
Mobinah Ahmad Khadijah Habbouche has won the Premier’s Multicultural Youth Medal announced at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner on Tuesday 1 March 2022 held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), in Darling Harbour, Sydney. In a crowd of almost 1300 guests, Khadijah stood confidently wearing her medal amongst the other winners of the 2022 Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals, and was a beautiful representation of hope that young Australian Muslims bring to this country. This award, 2022 NSW Rugby League Youth Medal recognises a person under the age of 25 who has helped create, welcome and support inter-cultural connections and understanding between people from diverse backgrounds. As a young Australian Muslim woman, of Lebanese Palestinian background, Khadijah stands as a confident, passionate and resilient young Australian. continued on page 3
/
Khadijah Habbouche with her Premier’s Multicultural Youth Medal. Photo: Mobinah Ahmad
While Western powers have condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine being a flagrant violation of international law imposing wide-ranging sanctions against the Putin regime, they have been exposed for their inaction on the ground and their double standards in ignoring the occupation of Palestinian territories for more than half a century by the state of Israel and annexation of Kashmir by India, breaching international laws and in non-compliance of all relevant UN resolutions. Since US and its allies including Australia invaded impoverished countries like Afghanistan and Iraq and continue to bomb and kill defenceless people in their “War on Terror” in Muslim countries, their inaction in standing up to the Russian dictator’s adventurism in Ukraine is striking. Apart from huffing and puffing and sanctions against the Putin regime, that have no deterrence value against Russian onslaught, Ukraine has been left defenceless by Nato powers categorically denying any armed support for the sovereign nation, even in face of threats, intimidation and challenge by Vladimir Putin. Western leaders have pledged far-reaching sanctions including asset freezes on banks and President Biden warning that Putin’s aggression will cost Russia dearly. Australian PM, Scott Morrison had promised “further waves of sanctions” against Russians, including hundreds of members of parliament, as he condemned Putin for the brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. continued on page 3
Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad OAM farewelled by family and community Zia Ahmad Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad OAM, a well known community leader, Chief Adviser of AMUST and its keen proofreader passed away at the age of 91 at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia peacefully on Thursday 10 February 2022. Dr Ahmad was a a retired professor of engineering having studied at Aligarh Muslim University, India, University of Wisconsin, USA and University of Sydney, and taught at various institutions in India, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Arriving in Australia almost 51 years ago, he was involved in the foundation of a number of community organisations and institutions including Australian Islamic Mission (AIM), the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW), Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair (MEFF), Islamic
Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) and the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST. He dedicated his life for imparting Islamic education and training, especially learning and teaching of Quran and the Arabic language, interfaith understanding and communal harmony in Australia as well as overseas. His funeral prayers were held on Friday 11 February after Juma congregational prayers at Rooty Hills Masjid as well as at the Kemps Creek Cemetery joined by hundreds of people before his burial at the Muslim Lawn section of the Kemps Creek Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife Jamal Ara Ahmad, 90, sons, Zia, Najm, Manar, daughters Fauzia, Najia and a very large close knit family of nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren numbering over 80 members mainly settled in Sydney.
Proudly Printed in Australia by Spotpress Pty Ltd
Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad at his granddaughter’s wedding on Saturday 22 January 2022.
continued on page 10 Dispose of this paper thoughtfully - PLEASE RECYCLE