By Marcelle Mansour

Friday evening 31st October 2014, an exciting art exhibition opened at St Charbel’s College Multipurpose Hall which showed a various talents of the amazing students in art, music and performing arts. 

Under the high patronage of His Beatitude and Eminence, Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal, Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and the entire East.  In attendance of a crowd of community members, many dignitaries, and church leaders including, His Excellency Bishop Antoine–Charbel Tarabay Maronite Bishop of Australia, The Most Reverend Abbot Tannous Nehme Superior General of the Maronite Order, Rev. Fr Joseph Sleiman Superior of St Charbel’s Parish and the Monks of the LMO in Australia. This artistic and cultural event was a part of the schedule on the occasion of His Beatitude Cardinal, Rai’s his first ever visit to Sydney and to St Charbel’s college. 

Following the Australian and Lebanese national anthems, The college presented a number of talents including: “St Charbel’s College Choir” conducted by Reverend Father Tenuous Ghossein, accompanied by Ms Trudy Andrews (piano) & Daniella El-Azzi (violen) & coordinated by Mars Marie Sandrussi. “Secondary Students Dabke Group” coordinated by Mr Melhem Kairouze. Mrs Jamal Kairouz & Mrs Rita Boutros. “We Are Australians” presented by year 11 students Andrew Boustani, Eleanora Deeb and Mary Chaghoury accompanied by Mrs Trudy Andrews...” شو في خلف البحر  “ performed by Antonia Chahine, year 6 accompanied by Mr Joseph Sarofin. “I Still Call Australia Home” performed by year 10 students, John Saidi and Thea Boutros. And finally “Joined in Communion” performed by St Charbel’s College Coire. 

The program was followed by his Beattiude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros’s delivering an elaborate speech. In his speech, he stressed the need for the common work of (WE) instead of (I) that unites the two, Christians and Muslims at present critical time, he added the two peoples should be strong and enthusiastic to preserve the message of unity, respecting the ‘other’ and living in peace under the guidance of one president to protect the country and to correctly lead the nation of Lebanon.

His Beatitude then addressed the young generations of students and praised their talents and their love and feeling of belonging to their home Australia, reminding them to empower themselves with values and knowledge to overcome difficulties and to keep progressing, he also thanked all the participants for their tireless efforts and great contribution that made the event very successful.

Following the Patriarch’s speech, Mr Tom J. Mourad presented the Patriarch with a magnificent sculpture of his artwork that is carved of cedar tree wood. 

The event ceremony ended with artwork viewing and appreciating. 

It was with pride and honour to have received such a historic visit with all warm congratulations to the Maronite Parish on its opening the Art Exhibition for it is an actual contribution to art and culture in the culturally diverse Australia.

A small piece of paper glued towards the bottom of the dial read twelve seconds to live. 

Richard stormed out of his office down the long corridor that led to the mansion's lobby screaming hysterically for his 3 servants. All met him in the spacious lobby in panic. He motioned towards the entrance as he ran up to them, "There is a bomb in my office!!! Run!!!" All began dashing towards the entrance but only to find a huge explosion tearing and rocking the entire premises. Richard covered his head as he saw the ceiling crash down on him. Everything went silent in his world afterwards.         

Saturday, 6th of August 1960, 3:00 PM

Marilyn's world suddenly grew silent as she watched the news flash and the cameras roll through the devastated mansion. Wreckage replaced the handsome multimillion dollar estate that once stood peacefully and proudly on Madison Avenue. A reporter stood close by the scene announcing the assumed death of the Senator with his house staff as the police circled the area and the firemen worked in the backgrounds to put out the fires that were blazing from the worn out structure. Tears rolled down her eyes as the outside broadcast cameras zoomed in on the scene and the reporter commented, "All eye witnesses confirmed that a powerful explosion preceded the destruction and fire, clearly indicating the presence of a bomb in the facility. A police official speaking on the account of anonymity stated that while it was early to release any information, obviously big amounts of explosives were used to totally destroy the estate as we are able to detect a complete internal caving in of the big three story premises. Senator Richard was known for his hard opposition against a proposition presented by President Helen Evergreen to senate and supported by his party. The proposition requested to increase the GBI's surveillance powers on both private and business telephones…" 

The brown furniture color of the bedroom suite around her all of a sudden turned into black and white. Sadness and feelings of sorrow began eating up her heart as she watched Richard's fatal ending on TV. What ever the situation was he didn't deserve to die like this. It's true the boat feat she did with him and Raghda a month back was mean but back then her heart was blazing with madness and shock. As the days glided by the level of her anger with him began easing up; it was as if the days were a remedy to the bitterness in her heart. It seemed to her that it wasn't totally about forgetting as such betrayal cannot be forgotten or over sighted easily, but the impact of the entire situation and the consequential hard feelings that erupted afterwards all began to settle down. 

Oh she knew how much she and her parents tore him up with the divorce and their connections. She knew what a dear price she had him pay for hurting her feelings. But he already paid the tax once. "Couldn't fate have had more mercy on him?" Suddenly the grounds around her began to swirl as dizziness engulfed her. The closet, bed and bureau danced with haziness around her as the pictures on the news flash of the mansion continued. She touched her stomach with her right hand and grabbed the arm of the couch she was seated on with her other hand bracing herself to it. She felt her stomach battle to eject its' contents. Gradually things began to ease up and she began savoring some comfort. She leaned back breathing deeply trying to relax and calm down. Echoes of their past ravaged her guilt struck mind and spirits.

"How about John if it’s a boy Richard?"

"I was thinking more like Jacob but John sounds OK also to me baby."

"If it's going to be a girl you pick her name."

"Maria sounds excellent to me Marilyn."

"You know my mother gave me Maria as my Christian name upon Baptism."

"Splendid how our thoughts do meet at times."

"I do pray we will never part Richard."

"Is it you or the flowers Marilyn?"

"What are you asking about?" 

"The perfume that I smell."

"Well it's Jasmine from Feminine Forever."

"Oh when it touches your skin it turns into awesome spring and smells so finely."

Her laughter filled the garden, "Oh honey if you like it I will continue to use it." Marilyn got up from her seat and hugged him. A short but passionate kiss came afterwards.

"Jasmine, that is a nice name for our baby girl Marilyn."

"I like it too…it has style and rhythm to it…"

The sweetness of the memories were cutting her up. He died without even knowing she was pregnant. "Was fate punishing her for not being forgiving or was it just life with its up and downs. "But No! It's entirely his fault! Did he have to run after that bitch?!" Her tears fell unstoppably from her eyes as the phone sounded in her bedroom. She got up from the couch and walked towards the phone that was placed on the commode besides her queen size bed. She greeted the caller with a broken hello and sobbs.

Her mother replied worriedly, "Marilyn I'm at your aunt's house and I just heard the news on the radio…I just wanted to check how you are doing sweetheart."

"I don't know mother. I just feel so uneasy. I should have told him about our pregnancy two weeks ago when I found out. I just don't feel fine."

"Marilyn calm down. It's not entirely your fault. He had his mistakes too…he never took your relationship seriously."

"Please come mommy. I need your company so much."

"Of course…Tell the chauffeur to come and pick me up….hello, hello…Marilyn!!! What is going on!!!"

Marilyn was looking through the curtains outside her window at the swarms of reporters that were shuffling up and down the streets. "Mother are you still there?"

"Marilyn!!! You scared the life out of me!!! Where did you go?!"

"When you come home don't say a word to the news reporters outside. They are all over the place like a pack of hungry wolves on fresh lamb meat."

Saturday, 6th of August 1960, 7:00 PM

The Oval Office, White House

President Helen Evergreen of fifty years held a doctor's degree in political science. Gaining a powerful reputation of being the woman for the job from her strong campaigning against her weaker opponents, she won the elections of fifty three with a landslide victory. Leading two Presidential Terms that were filled with grave foreign challenges she was able to tame some of the clashing US-Soviet interests that prevailed after the Second World War. A very powerful lady of the Democratic Party with great diplomatic insight she won the confidence and heart of the American people as she led them year after year into miraculous safety. However presently challenged with the uneven events that were brewing with the growing soviet aspirations in turning Vietnam into a satellite country, and with the bitter remnants of the Second World War still echoing within her nation, she was totally committed to solving the issues as peacefully as possible. After all warring with an equally strong super power was foolish and devastating for her people. Diplomacy was an irreplaceable weapon of victory if used smartly and wisely.

In the local frontiers businesses prospered and cross-country chains flourished throughout the US through the stimulating economical agendas and commerce she adopted. But conversely the recent rising crime rates during her second term of power in some of the cities left their frustrating effects on her as her opposing party used it as a powerful weapon to nail her and her party continuously. The least accusations that they hurled on her was that with the securing of her second and last term in office there were no third elections to make her work and care anymore. 

Helen stood up from her bureau in greetings of Chase Tanning as her secretary escorted him into her office. Chase's heart skipped a beat as he shook the woman's hand and greeted, "Madame President you don't know how enchanted and thankful I am to be in your presence."

Helen answered back in a hospitable voice while gracefully showing Chase to the neat white couch set a small distance away from her bureau, "I have heard a lot of excellent news about your professional progress Mr. Tanning. You are indeed a trustworthy man."

They seated themselves comfortably on the couches, "I am truly honored to serve you and my nation at any cost."

Helen suddenly frowned as she commented, "I did find the contents of the tape you sent me awfully disturbing. If these are the general's doings we are definitely dealing with a very gruesome character. However I checked the general's history and businesses out via my own security staff. He fought in the Second World War and retired in 1950 with a very clean and well kept record. His company is perfectly legal with no violations on record, even his taxes and dues are paid on time."

"Madame President we have noticed irregularities concerning his shipments with an accomplice list involving very big names. Although on sporadic incidents but sometimes after his sugar shipments that originate from South America and in very short periods of time cocaine is detected in great amounts on the streets. The cocaine detected is of the same origins as his shipments. We also have strong reason to believe that he is after the Forest murders as well that took place approximately a year ago. That is why we attempted to place a very well trained spy into his group but everything went against our expectations and they obviously spotted her easily. She is the one that met the awful fate in the film."

"But this is rendered without any solid proof. We don't even have an idea as to where the premises really is that witnessed this crime nor if it was done by the general himself or not. All we have is a video of our agent being massacred." Helen threw up her hands in despair and stated with frustration, "No prosecutor that I know of will ever acknowledge such poor proof for any case. I don't see how he can even be interrogated at all…I don't know if what I did was the appropriate thing but I called him to our conference. He should be arriving any minute."

Chase gave Helen a surprised look then asked, "Madame President I don't know as well the outcome of such a situation…"

Helen's green eyes sparkled as she gave Chase a confident look, "It's our best chance to thwart him a little bit. Sooner or later if he is our guy he will surely panic and make a mistake that will give you the proof you need. You can pick it up from there. All I want you to do is state what you just told me and see what he has to say for it."

The intercom suddenly sounded on Helen's desk. Chase watched as the lady with average height and tanned complexion gracefully walked towards her bureau. Her long red hair bounced behind her slim figure that was clothed with a chic white dress. Her confident strides and high heels left muffled thuds on the thin beige carpet that covered the entire floor of the oval office.

Helen commanded with a royal voice, "What is it Sue?"

"General William Canons is her Ma'am."

"Lead him in please."

Helen managed a smile as the general walked in, "General Canons you are most welcome to my office."

The general picked up her hand and kissed it with a refined attitude while stating in a chivalrous tone of voice, "I must be the luckiest gentleman at all to enjoy the honor of these moments Madame President."

Helen guided him towards chase and introduced the gentlemen together, "This is Chase Tanning our director of GBI, Mr. Tanning this is General William Canons, one of our bravest generals that ever fought in our army during the latest World War."

The gentlemen shook hands and all three sat down on the couches facing each other.

"Indeed it was a great honor to serve and protect our fine American nation. Although it was imposed on us by the axis of greed, we were up to it and fought our war like true men do."

Chase answered with a smile, "A lot of fine men gave in their life to battle and weapons to see our nation stay as proudly as it has always been General."

Helen Commented, "This is one of the reasons why I have always avoided the military options from my diplomacies. It is very easy to declare war, but things are a lot rougher and tougher on the grounds in battle. Besides our economy has seen major developments recently and needs peace to stabilize and develop more. Needless to say the money that would be used for weaponry manufacture could be more wisely used for internal development."

The general smiled and stated, "Very wise reasoning Madame President. I just hope that your up coming counterparts will carry the same beliefs as you do and not hurl us into chaos, especially with the growing Soviet dominance these days in Vietnam."

Chase stepped in and commented, "I fear the rising crime rates in our cities pose a greater threat than the Soviets in North Vietnam."

The general crossed his legs while calmly and confidently answering as if discussing the weather of the day, "Crime is indeed a pest that is present in all nations. Whether we like it or not humanity does have a good and bad side."

Chase replied, "Well our experience tells us that there is no perfect crime, and that criminals sooner or later falter with their operations. Nobody gets away with crime, not even the influential."

"My friend the influential in society are merely pawns moved by the master mind of all crimes; greed for more money. Human greed is insatiable and no one is ever satisfied with what they have."

Chase argued back as Helen’s eyes bounced back and forth between them, "But a lot of people make money decently through clean commerce and businesses."

"My friend do you trust that the taxes they pay are built on exact and correct income figures. Don't those same people minimize the payrolls of the employees indecently so they will cut down on unnecessary cost and compound their profits? Not all crime is covered by our laws Mr. Tanning. In reality it is crime that is authorized by law and crime that isn't. We are all criminals in a way or another."

Chase and Helen gave each other astonished looks for a few moments at the general's speech before Helen decided to interfere and state, "General you are a man of insight and I'm sure you have guessed by now that Mr. Chase wishes to ask you a few questions."

"Go ahead Mr. Tanning."

"General we have reason to believe that your shipments don't bear completely South American Sugar when they arrive to the ports of Manhattan."

The general released a loud laugh and replied, "What do they bear then?"

Chase simply stated, "Cocaine. We have noticed that after some of your shipments arrive at harbor and at intervals of barely over a week plenty of cocaine surfaces on the streets in New York."

"Mr. Tanning, I'm not the only person that ferries cargo to Manhattan."

"Well the grade of cocaine caught only originates in South America and you are the only person that imports sugar from South America."

Helen interrupted clarifying, "What Chase is trying to explain is that we have assumptions that need to be clarified."

Maintaining his calm disposition the general continued, "What you say doesn't concern me at all. It's true my sugar comes from South America but many goods are manufactured and imported from those countries as well. The cocaine could have been smuggled through the many liners that enter into New York. Secondly I maintain no connections with any mafias. I believe the mafias have monopoly over these things."

Chase deeply astonished by the general's cool attitude opened another front, "What about Lieutenant Diana Summers?"

"I don't know a Diana Summers Mr. Tanning."

Chase explained in a serious tone of voice, "Well then let me jot your memory; our undercover detective that got her cover blown when she gave us the inaccurate information concerning your cocaine shipments and the unsuccessful police raid?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. If your men gave you ill advice concerning some operation you ought to train them more and obviously you are wasting your time with me."

"Well your beasts did a good job at feasting on our colleague but the thing you don't know about is that we know of the great quantities of red meat that come in to your premises periodically. Are your beasts a gift from an acquaintance perhaps?"

"I have a wide circle of refined friends and I throw a lot of parties that offer extensive menus. If I offer barbecued lamb meat on the buffets, does this mean that I raise lions?"

"I never mentioned lions." Chase savored some peace as the general's relaxed face grew into a frown. He continued, "How did you know I was referring to lions? The message you sent us via the cine film can be categorized as psychological warfare. Only a person with extensive military knowledge would know how to wage such a damaging psychological war on his enemies."

Helen's face grew uncomfortable too as she watched the dialogue progress. She became tensed and moved silently to her desk while the general responded, "Mr. Tanning all you have been doing is throwing accusations based on assumptions at me. I have only tolerated you well in hopes of making you realize that you are interrogating the wrong person."

"General you are quite aware that there are eye witnesses that saw Diana Summers go into your company for her shift but there are no assurances that she ever came out of your company safely or even alive. I can…"

The general's disposition suddenly shifted and his tone of voice screamed with bitterness, "If I were you I wouldn't press that emergency alarm woman!"

Helen whom was near her desk suddenly turned around and fired back, "Don't you dare throw orders at me general! And you address me with the respect that I deserve and with my honorary title!"

"When I was on board my aircraft carrier roaming half the world fighting those vicious Japs and getting my ass cooked where were you? You were out somewhere getting your little pussy fucked by your boyfriend on some college campus!"

"Helen gasped and screamed out, "HOLD YOUR TONGUE YOU FILTHY ANIMAL!!!"

Chase stood up and pulled his gun out. He bitterly snapped back, "You will do time in prison for the remainder of your life for your disgraceful attitude." Three armed security personnel bolted in the oval office blurting out, "What is going on!" and surrounded Helen as the general screamed back, "I swear I have people waiting for me at a certain rendezvous point and if you don't let me leave this premises unharmed every single strategic secret of our American Armed and Air forces will be graciously granted to the Soviet Union via those people."

The three personnel aimed their weapons at the general while Chase and Helen stared dumfounded at him. The general stood silently with a defiant look on his face screaming, "Do you know how many bullets sliced my body while I was fighting to save your asses from the Japs! And how many stitches I received in hospital and what did I get out of it! A retirement's pay check, a handshake from some bureaucrat in the White House that sat behind his desk with the protection of his security personnel and the delights of his handsome presidential indulgences all through the war and worthless metals of honor; and while I was getting my body sliced up by the wars. Tell me woman, do you know what we saw out there!!! For one long year I saw my life begin and end repeatedly in front of my eyes and you stand behind your ignorant office and title telling me what to say and what to do!!!"

Helen stated with disgusted, "Let this worthless bastard leave unharmed!!!"

Chase whom was still pointing his weapon at the general exclaimed, "You're making a big mistake!!! This man is lying so he can run away with his indecent conducts."

The general replied with a mocking smile, "Try me; my vengeance will be rewarding Mr. Tanning."

Helen snapped back sharply, "Chase don't you dare go against my wishes. Let him leave unharmed!!! Security! Escort this betraying loathsome creature outside the White House please!"…

The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE [4.54 p.m.]: I rise to speak on the Multicultural NSW Legislation Amendment Bill 2014. As stated by the shadow Minister in the other place and our representative in this place, the Hon. Walt Secord, we will not oppose this bill. But, having said that, we do not oppose the bill because it has already been acted upon and its objectives have already been executed. In any event, I am keen to speak on the bill and to have my comments put on record. I want to speak about multiculturalism in our community, a subject which I am passionate about. Ever since I stared work as a community youth officer about 30 years ago, multicultural communities have been one key area of interest of mine. So I take great pride in working with multicultural communities from all parts of the world and all faiths, and celebrate their contributions to New South Wales and Australia.

This bill seeks to amend the Community Relations Commission and the Principles of Multiculturalism Act 200 to rename the Community Relations Commission as Multicultural NSW. From the outset, might I say it is a bit deceptive to say that this is a mere renaming of that organisation. The reality is that object (d) of Purpose and Description of the document that members have received from the Legislation Review Digest article on the Multicultural NSW Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 is:

To rename the Community Relations Commission of New South Wales as Multicultural NSW and to change the structure of that body so that it is no longer a commission constituted by commissioners and to confer management of its affairs on the Chief Executive Officer.

So this is more than a renaming of that organisation. As other members have said, particularly the Hon. Walt Secord, this change does devalue the commission. The Minister is of the view that this change will ensure there is no confusion about the body's role, or its scope, within the community. Effectively, the Minister has scrapped the Community Relations Commission and in its place created an advisory board, in effect demoting the commissioners and devaluing their role as they will no longer be responsible for the community; their responsibility will be as advisers to the Minister. That is a change that I certainly object to. An advisory board, made up of the chief executive officer and no more than 15 part-time members, including the chairperson, simply will advise the Minister. As I said, the New South Wales Opposition will not oppose this bill. However, it seems that the Government has pre-empted these changes.

In preparing to say a few words on the bill, I looked at the Community Relations Commission website this morning. There, I saw that the name Multicultural NSW is already emblazoned on the website. So the Government has already acted on this proposal; there is no longer any reference to the commission on the site or the site's organisational flow chart. I was not sure when this change was made, so I checked the recent media release. The only reference to the commission I could find was when Victoria Alhadef's resignation was mentioned in a press release. I looked deeper, and found it was a media alert from the Minister, not a press release. The media alert basically says:

Basically, the media alert states that ahead of the Multicultural Marketing Awards "the Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Victor Dominello, will announce the new chair of the Community Relations Commission"—which was Dr Hari Hiranath—"as well as new advisory board members". That made no sense, so I looked further afield and read a www.weeklytimesnow.com.au article of 10 September 2014 that appeared under its "Breaking News" headline. It stated:

Ex-Cricket NSW boss appointed CRC head.

… Hari Harinath has been appointed the head of the state's Community Relations Commission.

What happened to the chairman of the commission? Was he demoted or sacked? The bill does not address those issues. The Legislation Review Digest lists the bill's objectives, one of which is:

(g) to revise the functions of Multicultural NSW to reflect its current functions and activities

That does not mean anything. I do not know what that statement is intended to mean.

The Hon. Walt Secord: It could be a typo.

The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE: It could be a typo, but it is a whole sentence. Paragraph (g) just does not make any sense. Other objectives of Multicultural NSW relate to promoting the equal rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and a commitment to Australia. Such statements make me angry because they make a number of subliminal assumptions about multicultural communities in Australia. For example, it assumes that Australians from multicultural communities do not understand or contribute to Australian citizenship, and that those communities lack something and must change. The digest's background comments on the bill refer to the Minister's second reading speech, and states:

In his Second Reading Speech to Parliament, the Hon Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities, stated that in 2014 it is timely to re-examine the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 to ensure that it 'accurately reflects who we are and who we want to be'. 

It is clear who we are: We are Australians. But paragraph 3 of the digest's background reveals that the Minister also said:

'… but we need to do more to promote initiatives that bring people from diverse backgrounds together as Australians'. 

What are we? Are all those communities not Australian? Is that what we assume from that comment? I do not understand it. I take offence at those fairly blatant comments that imply multicultural communities are not Australian. The Minister made a number of similar comments when introducing the bill that I also consider offensive, particularly the claim that multicultural communities effectively need to become Australian. They are all Australian; we are all Australian, irrespective of our background. The Legislation Review Digest talks about "transitional savings" in its comments on the bill's provisions. Anyone reading comments knows that obviously means cuts. Has the Minister explained to the community where those cuts will be? Will staff numbers be cut? Will administration costs be cut? The digest does not make clear what will be cut.

The Minister has had 3½ years in this portfolio and his biggest contribution to date has been to abolish the Community Relations Commission [CRC] and urge multicultural communities to embrace some mythical Australian ethos without explaining which multicultural communities are doing that. The Minister is a proud Italian Australian; he is part of the multicultural Australia story. How would he feel if he were told that he needs to embrace Australia's ethos? I am sure his response would be that he already does so. Every member of the Australian community embraces that ethos. All multicultural groups would respond similarly. Unless the Minister has more to add or can explain exactly what he means, he may be best served by staying out of this debate. It is a shame that the CRC has been scrapped without proper community consultation. Devaluing the role of the commission and its commissioners is an insult.

The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE [10.21 p.m.]: I speak on an issue that has been giving me and many in the wider Australian community, as well as the entire Australian Islamic community, considerable distress—that is, the baseless and cowardly attacks on the Australian Muslim community, particularly Muslim women, in the past few weeks. These attacks show the ugly side of some in our wider community. In a few instances it also shows the beautiful side of the Australian community at its best. I am pleased that in a number of circumstances bystanders have come to the aid of victims and stood up for the values of decency that most Australians share.

At this juncture I express my gratitude to the many decent journalists in our national and regional news media outlets, including the Newcastle Herald and The Young Witness, for their objective, community-minded reporting. I take this opportunity to congratulate Young's general manager, Peter Vlatko, and Mayor Walker, who expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Young, saying, "We are proud of our multicultural heritage." I am also thankful to our New South Wales Opposition leader, John Robertson, and our Federal Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, for their forthright condemnation of such un-Australian behaviour.

It has been reported that there have been at least 30 attacks on Muslims, mainly against women wearing the hijab, in the three weeks since the police anti-terror raids. There is no justification for these attacks. They are uncalled for, unacceptable and un-Australian. Some examples of these attacks in New South Wales as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald include: a woman was threatened with having her hijab torn from her head and set alight; a cup of coffee was thrown through the car window of a woman driving while wearing a hijab; a mother in Western Sydney was spat on and had the pram carrying her baby kicked; a woman in a hijab was physically attacked in Western Sydney and her car subsequently vandalised, with profanities spray painted on it; and a heavily pregnant woman was verbally abused and intimidated in Sydney.

Members may also recall an incident in the Hunter where a Muslim woman was verbally assaulted and another decent Australian who intervened was also assaulted. In addition, there have been threats and attacks on Muslim property and places of worship in New South Wales, including Lakemba Mosque and Auburn Gallipoli Mosque being directly threatened in letters sent by the Australian Defence League—an organisation known for its hateful attitude towards Muslim Australians. Two cars belonging to a Muslim family in Wentworthville had the words "Muslim dog" spray painted on them. Direct threats against the Grand Mufti of Australia were issued by anonymous members of the Australian Defence League via a letter saying, "Muslims … Australia will fight you 'terror for terror', 'blood for blood', 'bomb for bomb'." Minto Mosque was threatened via a letter from an anonymous source.

Communities are already worried that the political statements made by Federal parliamentarians fuel such attacks by sending the wrong message that it is okay to be a bigot. Furthermore, it is a shame that Australian citizens have to write to our Prime Minister to ask him to do his job and speak out against bigotry. Almir Colan, an executive member of the Islamic Council of Victoria, told the Guardian Australia:

We want the Prime Minister … to concentrate on responsible, productive language. If Tony Abbott used strong words, if he said that an attack on Muslims is an attack on all of us that would isolate the bigot and reassure Muslims.

We now have a community of people who are fearful and scared to go about their normal business and be part of the wider community. I have heard that many Muslim women are scared to be out in public for fear of attack. My own sister, who wears a scarf, is an example in point. Yesterday she recalled an incident that happened some time ago where a truck driver told her to remove the towel from her head. She said the trauma of that incident has returned recently and she now fears walking alone at night. I call on the police, this Parliament, and the broader Australian community to unite and send a strong message that cowardly, racist attacks will not be tolerated and must always be condemned. This is not who we are. It is not what our country stands for.

 The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC.

Level 11, Room 1116.

Parliament of New South Wales

Parliament House

Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

( 02 9230 2526 || � 02 9230 2722

S.moselmane@parliament.nsw.gov.au

This time I'm living without you

I'm living with lots of space

I need you to understand me

I'm living lost in space

Come back to me, I'm feeling lost

I don't know what to do

I'm waiting, my heart is waiting

Home is waiting for you

You went away without saying

What you're going for

You left my eyes storming

Standing on the door

Give me a call, I'm waiting

Sleeping by my phone

For you, I'll be waiting forever

To see you back in town

Australian Coptic Movement (ACM)

Australia’s peak Coptic Community advocacy group. Promoting Justice, Culture and Unity

PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

THE HON TONY ABBOTT MP  

ATTENDS COPTIC NEW YEAR DINNER IN SYDNEY

 The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, attended The Australian Coptic Movement’s Association Ltd’s (ACM) Coptic New Year Dinner held in his honour at the Novotel Hotel, Brighton Beach, Sydney on 4 October 2014.

Mr Abbott’s attendance to the Coptic New Year gala dinner made the celebration of this important cultural event a truly historic occasion for the Australian Egyptian community.  His attendance marked the first time that an Australian Prime Minister has ever attended an event hosted by the Australian Egyptian community. The Australian Coptic Movement Association Ltd was deeply honoured and delighted that Mrs Margie Abbott joined the Prime Minister at this special event.

In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the Coptic Christian community in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a community under pressure. He extended his support to, and solidarity with, people in the MENA region who desire freedom, equality and justice. He also referred to the continued humanitarian crisis plaguing Northern Iraq and Syria and Australia’s commitment to combating the barbaric ISIL movement. He stated that ‘it is in the interests of civilisation that this [ISIL] movement be disrupted, degraded and defeated.’ He concluded with uplifting words of hope saying that ‘in the end the things that unite us are more important than anything that divides us.”

The Australian Coptic Movement was delighted that special dignitaries from Federal and State Parliament attended this historic occasion. Senator Deborah O’Neill delivered a speech on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, and acknowledged the outstanding contribution that the Australian Coptic community has made to Australian society. Also in attendance were the following elected representatives: Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services; Mr Craig Kelly MP, Federal Member for Hughes; Mr Nickolas Varvaris MP, Federal Member for Barton; the Hon Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities; the Hon Greg Donnelly MLC representing Mr John Robertson MP, Leader of the State Opposition; Reverend the Hon Fred Nile MLC, leader of the Christian Democratic Party; the Hon Paul Green MLC; and the Hon Marie Ficarra MLC.

The Australian Coptic Movement Association Ltd also expresses their gratitude to church leaders, community leaders and associations, and distinguished members of the Coptic community who joined us to the celebrate this memorable occasion, which include: 

·         His Grace Bishop Daniel, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions.

·         His Eminence Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Metropolitan Archbishop for Australia and New Zealand of the Syrian Orthodox Church;

·         Very Reverend Shenouda Mansour, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council;

·         Deputy Commissoner Nick Kaldas;

·         Dr Eman Sharobeem;

·         Dr Farag Ghoubran – President of Saint Maurice Aged Care;

·         Mr Zakaria Yassa – President of the Australian Sudanese Coptic Welfare Association;

·         Dr Ramsis Gayed and Mrs Amani Gayed from Set My People Free;

·         Mr Lyle Shelton – Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby;

·         Ms Karen Bos – Vice President of Christian Faith and Freedom;

·         Mr Wally Wehbe – President of Australian Lebanese Christian Federation; and

·         Mr Hermiz Shaheen – General Secretary of Assyrian Universal Alliance.

The Australian Coptic Movement Association Ltd is an independent community organization with two important focuses. The first is as an organization which advocates for the observance and protection of fundamental and inalienable rights in the Middle East and North Africa. The second is the promotion of Coptic identity and celebration of Coptic culture. The Australian Coptic Movement Association Ltd expresses their sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister and Mrs Margie Abbott for attending this significant cultural occasion for Australian Copts. Their attendance has made the celebration of the Coptic New Year an historic and memorable one for Australian Copts and the Coptic Church, which was represented by His Grace Bishop Daniel, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and Affiliated Regions. We also thank the Prime Minister for expressing his support for our cause by extending his support to, and solidarity with, those who work to promote greater justice, freedom and liberty in the Middle East and North Africa.

1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eaWzlTtp18&list=UUHFUiyr0DK8NvOQY2tm1uxg&index=3

2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4bE8wv-De0&list=UUHFUiyr0DK8NvOQY2tm1uxg

3, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QFvwEKKEU

At first you showed you love me

Then you changed very fast

You left me broken-hearted

Thinking about the past

There, you left me to wonder

You showed me more than hate

No need to ask about me

Without you, life is great

You tried to destroy me

For using the word goodbye

You took my life away

No need for you to cry