By the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane

·        Bob Carr acknowledged the attendance. He said he was very much impressed with the community support for the Palestinian cause and a just solution to the Palestinian people.

·        He said that the world has been conned by successive Israeli governments who stated that they were in favour of a two state solution when in fact they continue to build more and more illegal settlements to the point that there are now over 600,000 new settlers.

·        He spoke of the far right Netanyahu government’s lack of interest in a two state solution.

·        He cited Israeli newspapers talking about the apartheid conditions that apply in Israel’s occupied territories and spoke of the terrible living conditions imposed on the Palestinian people.

·        He recalled, how as foreign minister, he fought within cabinet with the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard over how Australia ought to vote on the recognition of Palestine to the status of the Vatican. He noted how even with that Julia Gillard refused to even accept Australia abstaining from the vote. He reported his delight when his cabinet colleagues, one after the other supported him and the decision was taken not to oppose but to abstain.

·        He spoke of the role of the Zionist Lobby in Australia and the pressure they apply.

·        He spoke of the Israeli embassy affair over the forged passport and Kevin Rudd’s decision to expel an Israeli embassy staffer.

·        He noted how the Israeli lobby tried to paint some Humanitarian support for the Palestinians in Gaza as somehow supporting terrorists.

·        He also spoke of the great support provided by Labor MPs at state and Federal level for the motions at state and national Labor conferences calling for greater opposition to settlements and  now with the support of Labor members we will move that Labor Recognise the State of Palestine at the next state conference and thereafter at the next national Conference. This puts us n line with 137 countries who support the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own.

·        Finally he was critical of PM Malcolm Turnbull who attacked the UNSC recent  resolution stating that all settlements are illegal. Bob said that even Trump told Netanyahu to ease off on settlements where as our Prime Minister failed. That places Turnbull to the right of even Donald Trump.

·        He thanked the branches and the Arabic friends of Labor for their tenacity and hard work and noted his delight to have former foreign Minister Gareth Evans, former Prime Ministers Bob Hawk and Kevin Rudd support the call for a recognition of Palestine Now.

  

As to my comments:

·        To state the obvious, all administrations were and are still staunchly Pro-Israel.

·        The United States remains a staunch ally and has consistently rejected international sanctions against Israel.

·        The United States’ unwillingness to alter its position vis-vis Tel Aviv meant that Israel was under no obligation to alter its own behavior.

·        Post 1978 Camp David accord however, almost every U.S administration began to query Israeli settlements.

·        From President Carter onward the shift to some recognition of a Palestinian autonomy began to develop. The actions of past Administrations show two things: 1. The strength of support for Israel and 2, the beginnings of a shift toward the rights of the Palestinian people to a nationhood.

·       Our hopes were high with Obama.  He stood up to Benjamin Netanyahu and regularly urged Israel to establish a moratorium on settlement expansion, but sadly during his presidency there were three large-scale Israeli military onslaughts against the besieged population of the Gaza Strip and as He was about to exit, he signed off on the U.S-Israel defense agreement guaranteeing Israel $38 billion in military aid over 10 years with no strings attached.

·        We hope now it is not too late as we now see Palestine disappear before our eyes.

·        I thanked the gathering and urged them to continue the struggle for Palestine. Apathy is no option. We must continue the fight for recognition of palestine before it disappears. The Labor Party is a social Justice party. It supports the rights of people. I am proud to have been a member of the party and proud of my friendship with Bob Carr. He has lead the fight and it is through his tenacity and perseverance that we now have members of the party actually speaking out as have many Labor members including former foreign Minister Gareth Evans, former Prime Ministers Bob Hawk and Kevin Rudd.

 

BY  Hussein Mohamed Al Iraqi

E-mail; hm901375@gmail.com   

   I saw the King deeply  thinks  in his people's  wishes  and case which  pouring  for the sake  of  home   and  it is  useful as evidence  of his department ruling at the heart of national concern (human rights and a dignified life for Dutch society and that people's right to life) as well as activism by people of the Netherlands he was incisive opinion and speak only with public note was prepared perfectly for every aspect of his  new role through his intensive activities on the overall level of serious attention and political administration  and  his  serious  concern of developments and events of the day "in our contemporary  world.  Netherlands Kingdom became respected by other countries.

    King Willem-Alexander  maintained a political nature that  peaked with the possessing of   Arab and international balance  in  a new awareness of social and political relations ,and accepted   with  necessary  duties assigned to this  post and work  management became  without any personal considerations and override  of the interests of the party or group ,in  implementing  his   duty and requested  the support and confidence of the Dutch people. " For while his personality is known ,note, that  Royal family in  Netherlands widely popular known  , his counterpart  is less and become pro rate for  the monarchy 78 per cent, referred to that  the Queen Beatrix of 75-year-old abdicating after spending 33 years in her position for her son King above  of  46 years old and specializes in water resource management note Netherlands King assured  that he wanted to be little  away  the protocols and to be close to the people.

     Willem assured  for  his intention between tradition and requirements of the 21st  century  and said I  want to be King continues the tradition and continue my tradition these contents pour for the country's stability and continuity of the work and became  the owner of  best experience  by reading 100 books and said I want to be King of the twenty-first century can assemble people around him and represent and encourage them  to  be an example  for them and note for King Willem built his life and political management on the love and appreciation and respect of  the people of the Netherlands because he is (King and Royal system?) While  the  majority  of  the republican build    its life and political  administration   on dictatorship political abuse, persecution and exile  for their  people,  my evidence  here  that  Syria and Yemen and Iraq, as well as the former Governor Saddam Hussein who exiled me more than a decade from 1993 and came  back  in  2004 and made me live humiliation with  Muammar Gaddafi ruler of Libya.

      His Majesty  assured  and said I'm not followed  any  protocol and people can call me as they please until they feel comfortable so it is no coincidence that the above  King is on the throne and immersed  himself in the management and protection of water in the Kingdom during the greater part of his life.

     What is  important   that recorded  by  King  his name, Willem Alexander that  he  made the Kingdom of Netherlands  as the intellectual and political center ,not paralleled   and has grown steadily, reaching her fame has become a junction today in front of  Dutch and  public opinion ,

   Sir Majesty please forgive me if I don't   described   you  fully  on press ,but  I  have  internal feelings and  I must  declare it to higher status honestly and frankly I wrote to all the Kings of the Arabs start of his Majesty the late King  the first ,Farouk of Egypt published   in Al Fiker  newspaper and ending with Libyan  King Idriss  Al Sunuci  published  in  network in Denmark because I have trends  to search   in  royal  systems  and my wish to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and specifically through formal  asylum , because  I   lost  the valuables and  precious  in  Iraq and    my  damning evidence publishes  in Al Gurba  Magazine   entitled( cry of wounded father ,the  journalist   , Hussein Mohamed Al Iraqi  today I intend  to travel  to the Netherlands to serve my cause (respect the monarchy? Wherever, I haven't  found like you for acceptance and appreciation greeting To  any  one  who  helped  me  , I will never forget as long as I live.

King Willem Alexander  born  on April 27, 1967, the first man will take the throne of the Netherlands  since 123 years ago and another Dutch King died in 1890 and since that time the succession to the throne (Queens) only about his own high school learning  he  attended  protestant  secondary school in the Hague and then attended   the military service in the Dutch Royal Navy from August   1985 to January 1987 also received his training in the Royal Dutch Navy College and studied history and earned academic degree in 1993. 

Iraq... Bagdad

King Willem Alexander,

 King of the Netherlands

  

9 February 2017

Dearly beloved in Christ,

The feast of St Maroun is an occasion for all of us, especially for Maronites, to be reminded that they belong to a family of saints. St Maroun and then the saints who followed in his footsteps: St John Maroun, St Charbel, St Rafqa, St Nehmetallah and many others, are role models in living the faith and outstanding examples of putting one’s trust in the Lord. 

Our celebration of the Feast of the Patron of our Church is enriched tonight by the presence of all our dear guests, friends parishioners, and Maronites from all over Sydney. Allow me to particularly welcome the Hon Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW, on her visit to this Cathedral and the Maronite community as Premier. We congratulate you on your election and pray that our Lord grants you the blessings and graces you need as you serve this wonderful state and its people.

The Gospel for the Feast of St Maroun is rich with lessons that we can take to inspire and guide us in our life. The “life in this world” which we are told to hate is the life of selfishness and greed, for it is this life which fears to lose anything of what it has, fears to follow Christ, and fears to die, because, for it, death is truly the end. 

But there is a life for which the death of the body is only the necessary precondition of a change. This is the spiritual life. The spiritual life takes many forms. This evening, we remember and celebrate the life chosen by St Maroun. This is the life of the monk and hermit: a life which follows Our Lord in embracing poverty, celibacy and obedience. Indeed, it is committed to obedience even unto death. Being prepared to let the body return to the earth for the sake of the Kingdom of God, we are assured of a glorious fruit-bearing rebirth, for the physical body is the grain which bears within it the seed of the soul.

This very rebirth is perhaps the defining feature of the spirituality of St Maroun. This great saint, who died about 1600 years ago, died to the social life of the city to be reborn as a hermit in the countryside of Syria. He left his home for an abandoned pagan temple on a hillside. He converted that temple to an honoured church of the true God. He taught lay persons to die to their lives of sin, anger and laziness, and be reborn in goodness, patience and activity. He taught the most dedicated of the men and women to die to their worldly occupations, and become hermits, monks, nuns and missionaries, leading people all across Syria and Lebanon to the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel of Salvation.

The spirituality of St Maroun was that of a monk and hermit. It involved mortification of the body and the perfection of the soul through: daily prayer, fasting and sacrifices. Maroun knew that just as the Olympic athlete needs to train the body and mind, so too does the spiritual athlete. And this spirit of mortifying the body to sanctify the soul was evident in the lives of the followers of Maroun and the history of the Maronites who were willing to give up their life in defence of the true faith in Jesus Christ.  

As such, the spirituality of the Maronite Church is based upon the monastic traditions of detachment from earthly things, and the witness of the martyrs who sacrificed their life to be reborn in the image of Christ and gain eternal life.

Our Maronite Patriarch and the Synod of Bishops have declared a year, from the Feast of St Maroun 2017 to the Feast of St John Maroun, on the 2nd of March 2018, as the Year of the Martyrs and their Witness. Anyone with some knowledge of the history of the Church and of Christians in the Middle East, can see how timely this is. This is a period devoted to remembering, praying for, and seeking the prayers of the martyrs. If anyone has learned the truth of voluntarily laying down one’s life to be given it back in eternity by God, it is the blessed martyrs.

Together with this year long theme, here in Australia we have two unique events to bring to your attention: these are the International Maronite Youth Forum to be held in July in Lebanon. The theme for this gathering is “Be Strong and Engaged”. And then, in November, we are holding our Maronite Diocesan General Assembly for our Eparchy here in Australia, to bring together clergy and people from all over the country, to consider where we are heading as a Church in this land.

As we celebrate the Feast of St Maroun this year, let us remember that we are children of a holy calling. We are called to be the grain of wheat in this world, although small, we are called to bear good fruits. This is our calling: to walk in the footsteps of St Maroun who drew people close to our Lord. As our Maronite community is growing in Australia, I am pleased to say that planning is progressing for the establishment of seven new parishes, and these are: in New South Wales, St Raymond’s in Auburn, St John the Second in Ryde, The Hills Parochial District, and the Milperra Parish; in Victoria, St Charbel’s Parish in Greenvale and St Anthony’s Centre in Dandenong; and in Western Australia, St Charbel’s Parish. 

We are also blessed in our Eparchy to have eleven seminarians, preparing to join the priesthood and to serve our Maronite people in different capacities. This Holy Feast is a beautiful occasion to call upon all young men and women to search for their vocation in life and heed their calling, whether as ordained men and consecrated women, or lay people serving in the Church.  

Dearly beloved, may we live up to our calling to be good seeds in this world, whatever our vocation may be. Let us ask St Maroun, Our Lady and all the saints, to add their prayers to ours in seeking from the Lord God the wisdom, strength and patience, to make this Year of the Martyrs and their Witness a year of true spiritual rebirth for us all.

Maronite Eparchy of Australia 

Under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, the Maronite Eparchy of Australia held its annual workshop entitled “A Safe Parish”, for Eparchy personnel, whether volunteer or paid, who deal with children, teenagers, the elderly, and persons with special needs.  

The workshop took place on Saturday 28 January 2017, at Our Lady of Lebanon Community Centre, Harris Park.  In attendance were some 70 members of our committees, representing various Maronite parishes and organisations, and members of the clergy, from the state of New South Wales.

This initiative aims to enhance and strengthen the seven pastoral priorities of the seven-year plan put in place by His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay.

The workshop informed attendees of the laws applicable when working with children, teenagers, the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable persons.  It focussed on the responsibilities of our youth when dealing with children and minors in our Maronite parishes. 

His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay opened the workshop and led the opening prayer. He thanked attendees for responding to his invitation and for giving up their time for the benefit of the community and its people.  

This workshop was prepared and presented by Mrs Amal Bousamra. She thanked all attendees for their hard work towards the success of the Church, and its works and mission.  She emphasised the Bishop’s intention to provide regular training sessions to all persons working in the mentioned fields, and that it was designed for both self-development and the benefit of the Eparchy, while responding to Church and government requirements. 

Mr Geoff Officer, Diocesan Financial Administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, was the first speaker.  He emphasised on the importance of pastoral work in the Church, and in particular, volunteer work in service of its mission.

In her presentation, Ms Katherine Juric, Co-ordinator of Risk Consulting  at Catholic Church Insurance, spoke about “Workplace Health and Safety” when dealing with children and vulnerable persons.  She highlighted the importance of keeping the Church safe, and protecting the wellbeing of its employees, both volunteer and paid, minors and vulnerable persons, as well as our parish and diocesan organisations visitors.

Fr Timothy Brennan, Director, and Mr Thomas Bagot, National Protection & Prevention Officer, at the National Professional Standards Office, spoke about each person’s responsibility for protecting children and vulnerable persons. They emphasised the different ways of protecting children and ourselves, at the same time.

At the end of the workshop, all attendees were issued with policy booklets, for future reference.

Msgr Marcelino Youssef concluded this beneficial day with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all His graces.  He also stressed that the lessons learnt today should not stop here, but should be put into action in all fields of pastoral work within the Maronite Eparchy of Australia.

As I am the winner of Liverpool Art Society Scholarship 2016, I am delighted to invite you to my 10th Personal Art Gallery - Save Our Fish From Drown. 

Location: Casula Power House Museum- Marsden Gallery. 

Address: 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula NSW 2170 

Time: 6 pm on 18 February 2017. 

For more information, please feel free to contact me on:

Facebook: Haidar.abbas.180

Mobile: 0421 530 723 

It will be my pleasure to see you all there. 

Kind Regards,

Hader Abadi

Note: Attached is a map for the event at the Casula Power House Art Centre.