By Marcelle Mansour
The Australian Palestinian Community Commemorated the 68th Anniversary of Al Nakba, together with the Celebration of the 2015 Australian Palestinian Graduates.
The General Union of Palestinian Workers and Australian Palestinian Graduates Association held a Ceremony in honor of the Palestinian University Graduates and the HSC Achievers in 2015, under the patronage of H.E.Dr. Izzat Abdul Hadi, the Ambassador of Palestine to the Commonwealth of Australia. On Sunday, 15 May 2016 in Candle Light Reception Lounge. The event also coincided with the date of commemoration the 68th Anniversary of AL Nakba meaning catastrophe.
Distinguished guests attended: Julia Finn MP -Australian Labour Party Member for Granville NSW,  Lee Rhiannon MP – The Australian Greens Senator for NSW,  Mr Jihad Dib MP- Parliament of NSW -Shadow Minister for Education,  Mr Paul Lynch MP - Parliament of NSW Member of the Legislative Assembly Member for Liverpool Shadow Attorney General Member of the Australian Labor Party,  Mayor Khal Asfour - Clr of Bankstown City Council,  Associate Professor Jake Lynch - Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney,  Prof Peter Manning Professor of Journalism,  Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed – Grand Mufti of Australia, the Secretary General of Fatah Abdul Kader Karanouh, and expert of Australian Palestinian Affairs Eddie Zananiri, Artists and Academics, Various Cultural  and Islamic Associations and Political Parties Presidents,  Media Representatives and a crowd of families and friends.
 The ceremony began by playing the two national anthems of Australia and Palestine. Followed by welcoming the attendees with introduction and a poem about Palestine recited by student Rola Alian, then a video displayed a brief history of the occupied Palestine.
The function was highlighted by a creative piece of performance titled “Al Nakba Suitcase “and was acted by Saleh Saqqaf  (Broadcaster and Actor) on the sound of Oud music played by the MC. Mr Jamal Alyan.
Speeches delivered as follows:
Abdul Hadi, Ambassador: In his speech H.E. stated: " Al-Nakba marks all our lives and it remains with us". Palestinians always remember the sad expel of their home land and it remains with them until justice and freedom will take place. These wonderful young achievers are the future of the Australian-Palestinian community spanning the globe who will transform loss into victory.
Mr Monir Mahajinah delivered a political speech in Arabic, in his own wods: "Tonight, we are not here to celebrate Al Nakba, rather to commemorate Al Nakba and raise flags and slogans. Three strategies are required:  firstly, is Unity, secondly to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on the ground, such as education and other things, and thirdly, resistance to the new generations. We cannot achieve independence, without our will and persistence and, embracing the Holy Stone.”
Lee Rhiannon MP who has visited Palestine and has seen the refugee camps said the Nakba day is a sad day to Palestinian people who were taken away from their home. But time has come to achieve justice, and the 21st century will witness that Palestinians will return to their land, “especially here we are celebrating the success of new generation, your voice of Palestine will act as a challenge, it is about commitment of people working together.” She said.
Paul Lynch MP:  expressed his support to the Palestinian Community on Al Nakba Day commemoration of Palestinian exodus forcibly displaced from their homeland in1948 and their right of return through justice and ending occupation. He also praised the high achievement of young generation.
Jihad Dib MP: “There is a lot of connection between Aboriginals and Palestinians… Israel built the wall, but would not kill the spirit of Palestinian People… The fight of Palestine is the fight of what is right to return the land that was taken away from them… It is an honour to celebrate the achievements of young Australian Palestinians… Live Australia and Live Palestine.”
Jack Lynch: who has been a Director of of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney stated that the process is about the continuation of academic research. He praised the Palestinian graduates who came from Gaza and have excelled in every unit. Lynch was proud to see the very first graduate of Master Degree (Mr Shamik Badra) from Gaza on scholarship and he mentioned that the university will support more students from Gaza in the near future.
The event concluded by delivering appreciation awards to the Parliamentary members for their continuous support to the Palestinian cause: Julia Finn MP, Jihad Dib MP, Paul Lynch MP.  As well as members of the Palestinian community where the Ambassr Dr Izzat Abdul Hadi presented a shield  - on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) – to The General Union of Palestinian Workers in Australia, for their tireless work of serving the Community. The shield was received by President Ibrahim Ishan, followed by Palestinian community members who received appreciation awards were: Lama Hammouri, Ibrahim Ishan, khader Sultan,  Mahmoud Sultan,  Akeel Sultan, George Dabbagh, Mr Eddie Zananiri ,  Maher Morqabala, Ahmad Qasim for Council of Australian Palestinians. The Ambassador of Palestine Dr Izzat Abdulhadi also delivered achievement awards to 53 Palestine graduates of HSC, Master and PHD.

By Marcelle Mansour

This year has marked the celebration of the sixteenth Anniversary of the Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant, held on the 1st of May 2016, at the Dalton House Pyrmont, in the presence of The Hon John Ajaka MLC on behalf of the NSW Government, distinguished guests from the Australian Arabic Communities, Media Representatives, majour sponsors, families, friends and many other supporters.

Mary (Mariam) Mehajer (18 years) was crowned Miss Australia Lebanon 2016, one of former deputy mayor, Salim Mehajer's sisters. Miss Mary Hakim (aged 22) came in as first runner-up and Miss Jessica Nercessian (aged 21) as second.

The nine Contestants were presented with gifts by the event sponsors and were awarded titles as follows: Jessica Francis (20) as Miss photogenic, Mary Hakim (22) Miss Elegance, Jessica Lahoud (18) Miss Style, Priscilla Rached (22) Miss Model, Rebecca Noun ( 23) Miss Personality, Rose Boustany (19) Miss Natural, Jessica Nercessian (21) Miss Swimwear, Safaa Ammoun (23) Miss Confidence, Mary Mehajer (18) Miss Congeniality.

The ceremony began with the Australian and Lebanese anthem, and both of Ms Nisreen Nasif and Mr Joe Chaar performed the Master of Ceremony (MC).

The Minister Ajaka delivered a speech praising the contributions of Australians of Lebanese background in the Australian society and stressed his support to Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageants.

Great Speechs were also delivered by both Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Contest 2015 Winner Miss Nicole Rizk and Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Contest 2014 Winner, and Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2015 Miss Cynthia Farah.
Joseph Khoury spoke at the ceremony and thanked Mr Antoine Maksoud, the President of Miss Lebanon World Emigrant Committee, the Hon Mr Michel Faroun, the Minister of Tourism in Lebanon for their excellent support. He also thanked the Panel of judges, Monie & her team, sponsors and all those who contributed to the success of this regular event and has helped in the past years and present.

The entertainment program event included a marvelous performance by the Comedian /Actor John Khodair and beautiful songs by Shauki Deeb and his daughter Miram Deeb (guests from Lebanon), singer Nemer Melhem, and the Australian Vocalist Simone Waddell on the sound of creative music by maestro Patrick Najem.

The Pageant has been achieving a tremendous success over the years and proved to be well received in Australia. It will lead the winner of the crown into The Miss Lebanon Immigrant to be held in Lebanon.

Congratulations to the crown winner and the first and second runner up.  Congratulations to Mr. Joe Khoury the Director of Miss Lebanon Australia for continuing to serve and celebrate the heritages and the cultural values of the Australian Lebanese Community.

By Marcelle Mansour

Arab Council Australia (ACA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and launched the Strategic Plan 2016-20120, on Thursday 31 March 2016 at ACA Bankstown.  In the presence of: The Honourable Mr David Clarke MLC- Member of the Legislative Council-Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and representing the Minister Hon John Akaka-for aging-Minister for Disability Services-Minister for Multicultualism; His Excellency Mr Ahmad Ait Issa-Minister of the Embassy of Morocco Canberra; Superintendent Dave Eardle-Commander Bankstown Local Area Command; Ms Melissa Johnston-Principal of Granville South Creative & Performing arts high School; and Ms Don Issa-Dupty Principal of the same school. 

More than a hundred people of Council members, guests, and heads of organizations, business owners, writers and artists, media representatives and community supporters attended the function.

Marcelle Mansour (Visual Artist and Writer of this article) performed the Master of Ceremony (MC). She gave an elaborate introduction about the Arab Council Australia’s history, and reflected on the efforts made in the past years. Marcelle explained how she is connected with this dynamic organization and its people for a long time, and described how the Council has grown significantly over the years and has taken new directions and initiatives that are responsive to the changing community environment. 

The event commenced with the launch of Council’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020 by the honourable David Clarke MLC, then the reconvened the 2015 AGM. The first part was held on 16 December 2015. On 31s of March 2016 was the second part of the 2015 AGM and Council reconvened it to present the full report about Council’s activities and elect a new Board and to launch Council’s new Strategic Plan for 2016 - 2020. Hopefully the Council will hold its AGM 2016 in the final half of this year.

Summary Reports were prepared and delivered by The Chairperson of Arab Council Australia, Ms Fatima Ali, before and after the Strategic Plan Launch, followed by the Treasurer Mr Amir Salem, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Randa Kattan. After the adoption of 2015 Annual Report, The election of the new Board of Management was conducted, overseen and reported by the Returning Officer, Dr Emad Berro, Pathologist and Microbiologist. 

The Hon Mr. David Clark MLC, spoke about how the Arab Council Australia has carried a heavy load in recent times, especially in the time of the increasing number of the Australian Arabic Speaking Communities who came from the most civilized culture of the world.  For the Arabic world is the cradle of science, medicine, astronomy and literature. In literature for example, Gibran Khalil Gibran is the third most widely read in the history after Shakespeare and Lao Tzu. Arab Council always welcomes and caters for everybody in need regardless to origin or religion.  The Hon Mr. Clarke also expressed his delightfulness for viewing such a great comprehensive strategic plan which has an inclusive clear vision and properly filled of fine details. The Hon Mr. Clarke congratulated Arab Council for their remarkable achievements and inclusiveness.

Ms Randa Kattan CEO, talked about the achievements and the challenges faced by the Council during the past years and the council efficient performances towards the objectives and goals.   She stated that Council has proved to be playing a significant role in presenting the interests of Arab Australians and in providing various services to the community. It is also worth mentioning that, Randa has been recognized as one of the top 21 Influential Women in 2015. Ms Kattan thanked and congratulated the staff and the Board for the commitment and hard work over the past year, looking forward to further achievements from this Council in the upcoming year and beyond. 

The audience were entertained by displaying a video of performance that was presented by the talented students of Granville South Creative & Performing Arts High School. Participants received token gifts of appreciation that say “Thank You”, including the Hon Mr. David Clarke MLC, Ms Melissa Johnston-Principal of Granville high School, Dr Emad Berro and Marcelle Mansour.

Marcelle took the opportunity to congratulate the staff and the new Board and thanked everyone who came along.

Refreshments were served and the event proved to be very successful due to the dedicated organisers, professional participants and wonderful attendees.

Contemporary Australian society is characterized by cultural diversity and openness to the world.  Australia has proved to be successful in its commitment to the preservation of multiculturalism, and therefore we see Australia shows more sympathy and interaction with humanitarian issues and oppressed peoples than any other countries in the world.
Australia adopted the application of contemporary social philosophy based on the principle of multiculturalism or cultural diversity since the early seventies, which replaced the policy of “White Australia” or “Anglo-Saxon”.  Australia accepted and absorbed immigrants from all different countries around the world, of diverse races and nationalities, religions and cultures, in the hope of integration into the Australian society and expecting those cohorts of immigrants to become an active part of its ingredients.  Not surprising, if we know that Australia today has more than 220 ethnic origins speaking 225 different languages that all compose cultural diversity.  This undoubtedly requires all to live in peace and mutual respect for others within the atmosphere that allows freedom, democracy and equal opportunity, as a means to promote harmony among all people irrespective of their religion and ethnicity.
On the other hand, the Australian government expects from those ethnic communities to loyally respond, by acting real good citizens and being able to engage and adapt in today's new Australian nation, and making positive contributions to building their new home Australia.
With the worsening of conflicts in the Middle Eastern countries, and the emergence of extremist fundamentalist groups, and terrorists, we have witnessed an increase in the fissures between ethnic communities in general, and the gap began to widen in the whole one society, even among Muslims themselves. At present, there are some indicators that draw attention to the emergence of extremism in some places like schools and centers of prayer, and also to the rapid growing of extremist ideology. This growing phenomenon is observable in the number of young (teen agers) Australians who want to travel abroad, to Syria and Iraq to join the ranks of terrorists of Daash. It has already become a concern to the security authorities in the country, which compelled to suspend their actions from traveling outside Australia or return to it.
Therefore, we (Australians) firmly believe that there is an urgent need to re-examine the social, political and cultural aspects, including educational and religious curriculum, as well as recognizing the importance of arts, literature and music to bridge the knowledge gaps and to bring communities together. That is why it has become more important than ever - in this turbulent era - that we certainly need a radical change, in terms of having the ability to rethink and to be more creative, in making new collective efforts to revise the curriculum in terms of religion, citizenship and humanity in order to build mutual trust, and to give hope to young people, to achieve security, harmony, love and peace.
It should be noted here, to highlight the importance of the Australian Arab solidarity in this area, and how much we need to have a moderate responsible leaders of Arab origin, especially if we know that the number of Muslims and Christians constitute together more than half of the world's population (%55).  It is certain now that a great part of the world’s future will depend on the success of interfaith dialogue between religions, in order to effect transformation in the human mentality and to make the change occurs at both the individual and collective levels, to what be recognized as suitable to our contemporary time.
Talking about our contemporary time, may raise more than one question: How can transformation happen? Transformation of what? Transformation to what? Why? How can we change? How can we move from old thought to new thinking? How is it possible to remove the old black extremist thought and make rebirth of moderate bright one? Are these ideological thought which prevail at present will shrink the concept of cultural diversity, and perhaps will be phasing it, especially some community members tend to stick to the traditions of the mother country at the expense of Australia's new home? This is followed at a later question?
How has the Arab community affected the Australian society in terms of cultural diversity? And how they interacted and to what extent? And if so, was it positive or negative impact? Has the Arab community in Australia brought about contemporary thinkers/theorists/ scholars/ philosophers to discuss the concepts of "freedom" or "democracy", "justice,", " equality "," respect for others ", for example? How to defeat terrorism ideology? Or talk on the issue of absorption of the concept of "contemporary”?  So much need today to innovate , to rethink for foreseeing a new vision that can take the goodness of both (old and new) and recreate them in a new mould, like producing  fresh juice,  that is suitable to nourish the emerging contemporary generations.
Australia has always lead the way to drink from cups that full of important and necessary concepts in our lives, such as high values that already mentioned above, and we have to work together to blend this new juice with the contemporary spirit . This will enable us to shift from backwardness to progress, from freeze state to dynamic. We can weave a new fabric of thought to fit our present time, and to produce a new mixture of juice to drink, until it becomes a new blood runs in our veins, and grow in our bodies, and renew our minds and our souls.

By Marcelle Mansour
I attended the seminar of United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016, which was hosted by the Universal Peace Federation Australia (UPF) , during the Ambassadors for Peace bimonthly meeting at the Oceania embassy in Sydney, on Monday 1st February of this year, with its slogan of “Interfaith in Action: Working Together for the Common Goods”.
 As we know, the United Nations has designated the first week of February of every year to be the World Interfaith Harmony Week. It is worthwhile to mention here a bit of history - for the sake of knowledge – that the World Interfaith Harmony Week has been proposed between religions for the first time in the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by His Majesty King Abdullah II, King Jordan. Then the United Nations decided unanimously on October 20, 2010 to be celebrated since then onwards in the first week of February, that is (1-7 Feb) to be known as “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. The aim is to simply initiate mutual understanding and effective dialogue between religions as a way to promote harmony among all people regardless of their religion.  It began harbingers in 2007, where Christians and Muslims leaders were called on to engage in the primary two common core religious commandments dialogue; the love of God and love of neighbor, for These commandments are the hub of the three large monotheistic religions without prejudice to any of their own religious principles. Thus providing a solid foundation for joint action on love and cooperation among people of goodwill and promote a message of interfaith harmony in churches and mosques around the world, and synagogues and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis in accordance with the religious traditions of their own cultures. This will hopefully encourage and help these groups to be aware of each other, and promote the movement of construction through mutual relations that far outweigh their differences, thus providing a strong dose of peace and harmony in their communities.
I would like to express the extent of my admiration to all the speakers who addressed the importance of  the topic that began with the UPF president Greg Stone’s words – with the UPF Introductory Video - where he said: "Our presence here as ambassadors for peace, we come from all over the world in order that we encourage one family of all religions under one God, to seek together towards goodness and unity and break down barriers, for all religions should work together to address the issue of conflict and achieve peace in the world.
Dr. Greg Johns, Vice Director of Soak Gukkai Internatioanl Australia and manager of their Peace, Culture and Education portfolio, delivered a significant speech explaining the vital role of the Buddhist religion in peacemaking, and responsibility entrusted to us towards each other and towards humanity as a whole, that go beyond the extremism towards our interests and work to help others, particularly that depression issue is a big problem in this country and other countries. Buddhism has long been celebrated as a religion of peace and non-violence always aspiring for the need of achieving higher humanism in respecting individuals and people through the symphony of heart to heart dialogue that share the suffering of others through connecting together and bringing friendship respect. This followed by the speech of guest speaker Ms Anne Lanyon, from the Columban Mission Institute Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice and the Faith Ecology Network, where she spoke about the urgent goals in regards to the religious traditions of mutual engagement of the environment, its defense and protection.
Ms Aila Wilitts, MC made the welcoming remarks with her calming presentation and the event was closed with peaceful musical presentation.
I attended the bimonthly meeting as usual, and liked the subject and its content. I was also surprised with the attendance of the high number of audience including the Ambassadors of Peace who have come from various backgrounds except of the Arabic ones.  The fact of the matter is that we, the Australian Middle Eastern are the ones who really with the most in need of this kind of knowledge for many reasons. For I believe that our presence is beneficial to encourage and promote this kind of topics and functions.
Undoubtedly, mutual understanding and dialogue among all religions and beliefs constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace as a way to promote harmony and cooperation among all people irrespective of races and religions, especially we live in the midst of political and religious crises, intolerance, terrorism, social, humanitarian troubled and other problems in this puzzling era. It is important to participate in the multiple aspects of the broader discussion, for the convergence in the exchange of views, and dissolving dissonance in different views, may help to promote the method of approach to understanding and respect between religions and generations, and to accept the ‘other’.  This will work on healing the wounds of violence, and also healing the rift between religious and sectarian groups. It will certainly work to challenge the risk of cultural conflicts, to change our lives for the better, and to build peace in the world.

By Marcelle Mansour

 A Genuine Warm Cheers for the Celebration on the Palestinian National Day annual function, organised as usual by Mr Albert Jubian, President of the Council of Australian Palestinians, held at the Parliament of NSW, Jubilee Room on Wednesday, 11 November 2015.  In the Presence of the Senator the Hon Bob Carr, former Premier of New South Wales and former Australian foreign minister (Labor NSW), H. E. Mr Izzat Abdul Hadi-Head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, the Hon John Ajaka MLC MP - Representing Mr Mike Bird, MP, the Premier of New South Wales, the Mr Luke Foley MP-the Leader of the Labour Party in NSW, Mr Jihad DIB MP-Member of the Lgislative Assembly/ Member of Lakemba, Ms Julia Finn MP- Member of the Legislative assembly/ Member for Granville, Prominent political, diplomatic and academic, Media Journalists, various community leaders and public officials as well as a crowd of the Palestinian community members.

The ceremony started by playing the two national anthems of Australia and Palestine. The Hon. Peter Thomas Primrose introduced all the speakers.   

The Hon John Ajaka MP spoke a word on behalf of the Premier Mike Bird MP and said that multicultural Australia has 220 ethnic origins who speak 225 languages. Around 1 in 5 Australians were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. Communities are embracing our diversity and differences to be able to unite, to live in harmony and to build a mutual respect to be able to develop communities of shared values. The Minister Akaka mentioned that he himself is of Lebanese descent and he strongly support the common goal of achieving an independent free Palestine and encourage the two-state solution.  

The Hon Luke Foley MP mentioned Edel McKenna, his Irish-born wife whom he married in 2005. As they making trips back and forth to her farming family in County Tyrone, he saw her neighbour raising the Palestinian Flag for several times. He certainly knows how important to be committed to solidarity and supportive to freedom and justice. The MP Foley declared that he issued orders to Labour MPs to visit the occupied Palestinian territories if they need to visit Israel, stressing that the Palestinian people are suffering from injustice at the hands of the Israeli occupation that kills Palestinians including young children. 

Former Australian Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Bob Carr, who has regularly been attending the Palestinian National Day commemoration for decade’s remains very supportive to the Palestinian cause, and concerned by the failure of negotiations and finding solution and recognising the Palestinian rights. Carr stated that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that has lasted for 48 years and the peace process for more than 22 years. On May 15, during the Nakba, Zionist forces exiled 750,000 Palestinians from their homes, committed 31 slaughters, and destroyed 531 Palestinian towns. Carr has made it clear that he is completely against the Israeli policies of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and illegal settlement. The reality of the situation now is that 500,000 settlers will never depart, rather Israel aims to achieve their goal of greater Israel and Israelis are opposing a Palestinian State solution. Carr, the patron of Plaestine, noted the inevitability of Palestinian resistance. 

The Ambassador Izzat Abdulhadi made an extensive speech in which he thanked the audience in celebrating the Palestinian National Day, and stated that Palestinians mark their National Day on November 15, the anniversary of the Palestinians' unilateral declaration of independence proclaimed by Yasser Arafat in 1988 where he reaffirmed the declaration of independence of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, the right of the refugees to return and the right of self-determination. Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passage of the immortal Palestininan leader Yasser Arafat passed away on the 11thof November 2004 and today, the 11th of November 2015 also marks the Remembrance Day National Ceremony of the Australian War Memorial.”  We are paying tribute to the selfless struggle of all. The Ambassador Abdulhadi spoke about the persistent struggle of Palestinian people for freedom and justice despite the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, their ongoing demolishing Palestinian house and expansion of existing illegal settlements, their violent attack on Gaza and Jerusalem and Netanyahu keeps hindering peace process. There are formal agreements between the Australian government and the Palestinian Authority; in particular the Labour Party has issued a decision to recognize a Palestinian state, hoping that Australia will join the 140 nations who have already recognized Palestine as a state whom Palestinians feel grateful to their support. The Ambassador Abdulhadi highlighted the ability of the Palestinian commitment to tirelessly working towards the support of Palestininan statehood during the current difficult times and to be determent and hopeful in the future. 

The distinguished speakers, who always do their best efforts to focus on the Palestininan human rights and freedom, delivered significant speeches.  They shared their views, experiences, analysis and hopes to the Palestininan cause. 

The event ended with gathering for a drink, socializing and networking.

By Marcelle Mansour

On Thursday 12th November 2015, I was fortunate to be invited by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS) to attend the event of “An Afternoon with George Gittoes”, which was held at the CPACS Centre at the University of Sydney. 

George Gittoes AM is a distinguished Australian and International Visual Artist of War and Peace, Photojournalist and Film Maker, who has been awarded the 2015 Sydney Peace Prize on Tuesday 10 November at Sydney Town Hall. “Australia’s only international peace award, “for exposing injustice for more than 45 years as a humanist artist, activist and filmmaker; for his courage to witness and confront violence in the war zones of the world; for enlisting the arts to subdue aggression and for enlivening the creative spirit to promote tolerance, respect and peace with justice.” The 2015 Sydney Peace Prize Jury’s citation stated. “The Jury felt his unique approach to peace building and social justice should be recognised and applauded.”

The Master of Ceremony was performed by Mr Mujib Obid. George Gittoes gave an interesting talk about his journey as the war and peace artist. He started his talk holding his Angel of Peace puppet, and then he spoke about the conception and the significance of his art and the conflict with brutality that has shaped his work. Particularly in Jalalabad, in eastern Afghanistan where Gittoes has survived war, death threats and a pet monkey where he has established the Yellow House Jalalabad (YHJ). 

George Gittoes: “Art proved that creative people create things rather than destroy stuff. So all my life I've been going to war zones. I saw the destruction of Baghdad, I've seen the destruction of Gaza and all this destruction through war and for me it's been enough just to create in the face of it, to be making stuff.”

George’s speech was followed by Q & A with the help of his partner, Helen Rose, a talented singer and actress from Sydney, who shared George answering some of Q & A dialogue with the audience.

In my turn, I made a short spontaneous unwritten speech and a poem about my experience of special friendship with the artist George Gittoes over the years, and the following is graphically what I said: 

“Good afternoon everyone: I feel privileged to day that I am invited to meet the great Artist George Gittoes together with his partner the amazing Vocalist and Performer Artist Helen Rose. I would like to thank the Committee Members of (CPACS): Dr Wendy Lambourne-Deputy Director and Post Graduate Research, Dr Ken Macnab-President Council, Juliet Bennett-Executive Officer, Katie Pokorney-Acting Executive Officer; for providing me with this wonderful opportunity.    

I have known the amazing Artist George Gittoes since the late 1980s and early1990s when I was a regular contributor to the An-Nahar Australian Arabic newspaper as a journalist and a weekly communist. When I came across his name in the English newspaper, I visited his art exhibition where I first met him and I wrote about him and introduced his arts to the Arabic speaking communities. I still remember his incredible art exhibition titled “The Realism of Peace“at S. H. Ervin Museum and Art Gallery in 1996 where I accompanied a group of Australian Lebanese and Palestininan community members to view his artworks and to listen to his marvellous talk, where we realized that Gittoes witnessed war conflicts and destructions in Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, Bosnia, Congo, Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza/ Palestine and other countries.  

At that time we both displayed in a group exhibition at Barry Stern Gallery, Paddington. Then I invited the Artist George Gittoes to the Australian Palestinian Club where he commended my community artworks of the Past, Present and Future triptych that depicts the story of the Palestinian cause, 48 Nakba and Diaspora. In1998 I had a nicely written article about my work, titled “Paintings from the Heart”, by the Art Historian and Critic G. Dalton, in my book of Shifting Waves p5. In 2002 George Gittoes headed to Gaza my birthplace where he was embraced by my relatives who coincidently were the point of connection.” 

Then I said: “George Gittoes is totally a complete hero, he was exposed to death and threats all his life. I know for sure that he has a strong faith, where he always creates artistic Guardian Angel moppets; and there is no doubt that God amazingly protect him from all harms.”  

Last year I attended George Gittoes Art Exhibition of ‘Vincent and the Snow Monkey’ and his book launch titled ‘George Gittoes I Witness’ on 31 Jul 2014 at the Art Equity Gallery where he signed for me his unforgettable words “Peace and Freedom for Palestine”.  

The Palestinians are still living under the horror and terror of the Israeli occupation for 67 years and the peace process’ failure is persisting for 21 years with only bloodshed and hatred from both sides which offer no logical resolution in ending the occupation and war or making peace with justice. The United Nations designated 2014 to be the ‘International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.’ 193-nation body had expressed the hope that, by now, the State of Palestine would be a sovereign and independent Member State of the UN. The majority of the world is on the side of justice with Palestinians, but not "power of veto" nations. Israeli Ministers are totally and permanently against a Palestinian State. This rejection does not count as ‘Justice’ or “Human Rights’. I had my ‘Threshold’ art exhibition and seminar of light and perception last week at the Parliament of NSW, and I explained how we creative artists highlight the notions of humanity, freedom, peace and justice in our work so that we may laid the foundation for modern critical political thought by working on changing the mentality of politicians who lead the world nations so that they may cross the threshold of transformation towards recreating the reality of our world.  

Therefore, George Gittoes’ words are just perfect of what we want to happen: “Peace and Freedom for Palestine.” Today I would like to congratulate the artist George Gittoes on receiving the 2015 Sydney Peace Prize and to present him with the portrait I have painted of him that is accompanied with my poem. This is my tribute to the amazing artist George Gittoes.” as follows:

A Cry Out for

“Peace and Freedom for Palestine”

These unforgettable glorious words

Are so precious and worthy to be voiced

To be heard by all the leaders of the world

What the Australian Artist George Gittoes wrote

When he signed his book for me with his heart of gold

‘George Gittoes I Witness 

The extraordinary Artist of Peace and Anti-War

Who documented the history and revealed the truth

Wishing Peace and Freedom for Palestine and All

Marcelle Mansour, Thursday 12 November, 2015

At the end I spontaneously pulled a ‘Kofeyye’ Palestinian scarf out of my handbag and proudly put it on around George’s neck, reading what it says: ‘Return to Jerusalem.’ Coincidently my tiny hair brush hooked with the scarf and George humorously asked me to comb the knots on his hair which I pretend doing it. George Gittoes certainly has a great sense of humor that makes him survives the brutality of war he witnesses around the world. George said he will be hopefully heading to Palestine very soon.

The event ended with gathering for refreshments and drink, socializing and networking. It was a good afternoon with a wonderful insight into an amazing creative world of peace. 

By Marcelle Mansour

On 28th Oct 2015, I was invited by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Sydney, Australia to exhibit and speak about the role of art in peace building, at the Parliament of NSW, in the presence of  the Hon Glen Brooks representing the Hon David Clarke, MLC, Mr Gregory Stone the President of UPF Australia, and a number of elite from the Australian Arab communities of writers, poets, doctors, artists, intellectuals, journalists and those interested in the artistic and cultural, social and political affairs. The audience varied from Australian Communities of Lebanese, Egyptian, Jordanian, Iraqi, Syrian, Palestinian, and ambassadors of peace from other ethnic communities.

At the event, I addressed the topic of Threshold, The Art of Light and Perception for healing, renewal and rebirth of world peace and spoke about my innovative art of light aiming to help crossing the Threshold of Transformation through Light and Perception Towards Peace-Building with Justice. I displayed a series of artworks that are a part of Threshold Art Exhibition which was created to be exhibited over the two years of 2014 & 2015, for it has coincided with the world‘s commemorating the centenary of the First World War, along with UN declaring 2014 as the ‘Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People’. This year, the exhibition is coinciding and celebrating the 2015 International Year of Light, and also with the UN international Day of Peace with slogan says: “Partnerships of peace dignity for all.”, and also the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. It was previously and virtually exhibited in New York City during the Armory Week in March 2014; in Bankstown Arts Centre in April 2014, in Mary MacKillop Museum, North Sydney for four months from Dec 2014 until March 2015, at UPF embassy in April 2015, and recently a selected artwork has been exhibited at the Fifth Annual Award, International display at the Louvre Museum in Paris in July 2015, and currently at the Parliament of NSW in Oct 2015.

Jana Lajdova professionally performed the Master of Ceremony, The Hon Glen Brooks welcomed the attendees, and stated that the Parliament of NSW is the oldest in Australia and it is available for all. Then he delivered a brief speech about art and light, highlighting the importance of light in the art, especially he uses it in his work in the advertising company, he knows the value of light and what it could do in the sense of imagination and calmness. The Hon Glen Brooks on his own words: “Some of the artwork I can see here on display is what I consider is a great art and to have light work involved with the peace is a wonderful thing.” 

Greg Stone, the UPF President Australia stated: “We are really happy to have Marcelle invited here to exhibit and to explain about her inspiring and stimulating exhibition tonight that is a beautiful display in light, for light talks about truth and beauty and we need light in our life and our world. Mr Stone said: “The reason the UPF is involved in art is because there is a kind of foundation in our work and Marcelle’s work, because UPF is dedicated to world peace, harmony and prosperity for all. We should all relate to each other as brothers and sisters as all one family created by God. Spirituality is a lead to our life we appreciate the importance of the moral principle that should guide what we do as strong families and communities. Our tradition is to teach the gold rule to serve others which makes amazing peace building exercise for unity. We are very diverse in this world but we need to break down the barriers and dividers, it means we should appreciate the great diversity and break the barriers that dividing and creating harm, contributing to establish true love and peace.” 

In my turn, I was able to deliver multiple presentations including my speech of my art conception of Threshold, reading my English exphrasis poetry of ‘Spiritual Dialogue with Light’ and my Arabic poem of ‘Come along to Change’, then a screen presentation that conveyed the message at the various numerous levels. I provided a brief history of my parents’ displacement from Jaffa, Palestine since the Nakba in1948, and my birth and life in the Gaza Strip, providing historical, cultural, intellectual, social and political presentation of the concept of the Palestinian cause, then explaining what is happening in recent times where Palestininan children and youth are being exposed to genocide and to the horror and terror of the Israeli occupation; “ The occupation and war is still on for 67 years and the peace talk keeps failing for 21 years....What we  are seeing now is that more bloodshed only leads to more violence and hatred on both sides, without any fair logical solutions." I also asked for prayer for those who lost their loved ones, and for children who became orphaned.  

Then, I spoke on the topic of "How to cross the threshold through light and perception towards a just peace building". I explained at length about the concept of the art of light and perception in Contemporary Art, its objectives, aims and goals, and the motives that led me to create this work. “This comes out of my voice, as an Australian Palestinian Artist, I have a point of view that has been shaped by the impact of conflict and displacement, but also have a great love and sense of connection to my motherland. The impetus driving my work comes from a strong desire to see my motherland Palestine liberated, to be transformed by the light of peace and freedom, liberation and universal humanity that is in opposition to the barbarous occupation which is building a de facto reality on the earth.”

“Through my art, I present a kind of an intersection between me, my identity, my cause, the history and the world. In my vision, I visualize the reality of the world. Art is central to politics and to social relationships, for works of art can create reality, works of art can transform and transfigure our experiences in our continual remaking of the world. Therefore, I humbly wish for some politicians to have some creativity and spirituality, to help in gaining better guidance in making wiser decisions. Some religion leaders need to redirect and re-educate the new generation regarding to the actual purpose of faith. Therefore, we really need a kind of deep transformation which will make a radical change to enable us to recreate our reality and reshape the world’s reality.”

Inspired by both my roots in Eastern and Western Art and spiritual and philosophical traditions, I have explored the phenomena of perception as a path to self-knowledge. I focus on universal human experiences through phenomenology towards positive socio-political change via renewal of the inner soul. In my work, I paint with light as a focal point to explore the mystery and to reveal the invisible. This perception is appreciated by the spirituality within various religions or no religions, regardless of ethnic origins, because of the abstraction of nothingness or zero form. This may depend on people’s visions and thoughts, and that’s why, viewers are a part of my work. I focus on light as a metaphor for knowledge and wisdom through phenomenological arts. Light is a manifestation, a presence, a source of the ‘holy’ and ‘sacred’ which enable us to experience the inner life. This is where the ‘invisible becomes ‘visible’ and the light shines out of darkness and helps to transform us so that we become a source of light. Inspired by my roots in Eastern Culture, I have used materials and elements that have a significant meaning in our tradition such as: gold leaf, alchemy, salt, frankincense, olive oil and earth dust, marble stones, holy bread and gauze. 

My art represents crossing the threshold of transformation. The shifting colour of light while circulating represents threshold when a deep alchemical transformation happens to cause renewal and rebirth to exist which affect healing and embracing love and peace.

Through my creative works I invite my viewers/ audience to cross the perception, to reveal the invisible truth, to be loyal citizens and to unite in peace and harmony. Through my art of light and perception, I want to enrich Australia and the world by creating a culture of Peace-building through crossing the 'Threshold of Transformation for Healing, Renewal and Rebirth. Painting with Light and Perception affects minds and senses -regardless of origin or religion, faith or no faith- to cross the ‘Threshold of Transformation', to rethink ourselves and the world conflicts, for healing humanity and reshaping reality, towards changing War into Peace, Occupation into Liberation, Violence into Peacefulness, Terrorism into Elevations and Materialism into Spiritualism.”  

At the end of the seminar, where the speakers provided important perspectives, it was the discussion’s time for questions and answers through the interaction between the Artist and the viewers, with an excellent positive audience’ feedback, where they could sum up and draw some conclusions of that peace with justice, freedom and humanity is the right for all peoples. It is great to paint with light and perception that may lead to transformation and change the world for the better. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officials of the Parliament of NSW for heir tireless efforts and the UPF members who organised the event, in particular, Mr Greg Stone, and also the Arabic Media representatives, including writers and poets, all the attendees and community members for their excellent support. 

By Marcelle Mansour

I start my words here by humbly saying that I have a great honor to be one of the global selected artists where one of my works has been selected and displayed at the Louvre Museum, Fifth Annual Exposure Photography Award, and presented in the International display at the Louvre Museum in Paris on 13 July 2015, and also was published in the book of the ‘Exposure Award 2015’. 

The book: says: “The photographs within this collection represent some of the most interesting work of the Fifth Annual Exposure Award. It’s an honour to be able to share this work with you and with the world.” 

The title of my artwork is ‘moonlife’ that I created and photographed. In addition to being me a practicing visual artist, poet and bilingual writer, journalist and active in the cultural activity, I also practise  photography which I  learned  professionally by myself, but I use it mostly for my artworks, and for the subjects that I like and perceive in various ways.  

Some people ask me to what extent do I appreciate photography compared to the fine arts that I practice? My answer is that the source of revelation in photography is wonderful, especially when I take the picture in its moment to be recorded and documented that lies in the memory and conscience of the mind. This requires a certain creative ability to reveal some kind of various perceptions about the presented subject by the person who stands in front of the eyes of the lenses. This is because individuals may differ from each other in terms of thinking, imagination, tendencies, trends, meditation and outlook on life, that makes people see an image in different ways and that depends on the individual’s distinctive experience. An example is my artwork of Moonlife or the Bread of Life, I photographed it in a manner akin to the landscape, and especially it consists primarily of natural elements as the essence of creativity and looks very similar to the views of nature. The way it has been photographed led to the discovery of a lot of beautiful multi – hidden meanings which make it a source of inspiration for others. 

About the conversation that lies between the creative image and the receiver I would say that art of photography implies art of perception as a means used by the artist to make the picture affect in the eye of the recipient where seeing can be felt by the eyes. Viewers can discover more insights to detect the new vision of the beautiful subtleties underlying in the human sensations, mind and conscience that reveal the hidden truth.

At the end of it all, according to artists’ capabilities, I believe that photography is a fantastic tool that complements other forms of arts. On this occasion I would like to heartily thank both the SeeMe and Peecho teams for their wonderful work. I am also grateful to the judges for my work was favoured.

By Marcelle Mansour

British-Palestinian Ghada Karmi, doctor and the author of the book )Return: A Palestinian Memoir( who was forced to flee her homeland following the 1948 Nakba, Arab-Israeli war, is in a visit to Australia to various cities in different states. The event was organised by the Activist Coordinator Jennifer Killen through the Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine – Sydney.

It was a good opportunity on Tuesday night the 1st of September 2015 to attend Karmi’s first series of speeches at the La Cocina de la Abuela Mexican restaurant. Dr Karmi discussed the contents of her recent book (Return: A Palestininan Memoir) which is an account of exile and the impossibility of finding home. It captures the realistic stories which she witnessed during her trips to Plaestine and various places. Dr Karmi depicts the real life of modern Plaestine where Palestinian people are still suffering and struggling under the occupation and oppression. The book of Return: A Palestinian Memoir contains memories of individual journey that is full of bitterness and grief which describes the real Israeli Palestinian conflict. Dr Karmi says in her book: “I remember looking down in a night time Tel Aviv from the windows of  a plane taking me back to London and thinking hopelessly, ‘Flotsam and jetsam’, that is what we become , scattered and divided. There is no room for us or our memories here and it won’t ever be reversed.” 

Dr Ghada Karmi was born in Jerusalem in 1939, her family moved to England after Israel state was created in1948. She was educated and trained as a Doctor of Medicine at Bristol University and practised in migrant and refugee health. She established the first British-Palestinian medical charity in 1972 and was an Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute for International Affairs she has held research positions on Middle Eastern politics and culture at a number of universities, including the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter.

Her previous books include In Search of Fatima, A Palestininan Story (2002), Married to Another Man. Israel’s Dilemma in Palestine (2007) and co-editor of the Palestinian Exodus 1948-1989(1999).The book of Return: A Palestinian Memoir contains memories of individual journey full of bitterness and grief that explains the real Israeli Palestinian conflict.

By Marcelle Mansour

Sts Michael & Gabriel Antiochian Church held its annual Dinner on Friday 28th August 2015 at the Bellevue Reception Centre, under the patronage of His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The ceremony was attended by a crowd of priests, heads of organisations and social leaders with the participation of a large number of other churches parishioners with nearly 400 people.

Bishop Saliba threw an expressive speech on this happy occasion where he highlighted the importance of nurturing the rising generation of children and youth of the community, he also praised the continued support of the church from all aspects.

The Parish Priest of Sts Michael & Gabriel Antiochian Church, Rev Fr Michal Zghaib thanked all the attendees including businesspeople, leaders of organisations, the media and all the flock of various dioceses. Then he delivered a brief speech in which he stated: “It is the one hundred percent responsibility of the church to provide spiritual and religious education, while building the actual church is the responsibility of the people and the parishioners.” Fr Zghaib also highly praised all the parishioners for their fruitful contribution and tireless work and cooperation with all other churches. He also mentioned the main objective of the ceremony of this annual dinner is to get together to preserve the Christian presence in the light of love and peace. 

The ceremony included performance of creative singers: Vicky Maroun, John Khalil, Ghazi Nasouh Sayed Fares, as well as some sponsorships, donations and community activities.

The event was successful especially was attended by many of parishioners of other churches in an atmosphere of intimacy and love, as described by Father Michel Zghaib as: “A loving ceremony gathering dinner”.

I have known this woman Suzanne Aoun (Poet) a short time ago and I have met her only twice, first in one of the occasions of the community cultural events, and the second when she attended my Artist Floor Talk at my solo art exhibition of Threshold at Marie MacKillop Museum North Sydney.  It was very impressive that Souzan contributed to the discussion in a positive way, especially when I explained that my art has a universal message regardless to origins or ethnic religions, people with faith or no faith, for it presents humanity, unity, love and peace.  After the talk has finished, Souzan surprisingly asked to get a souvenir photo with me beside the cross. This indicates the extent of her development and openness to other cultures and religions and the widening horizon for the sake of love and brotherhood away from fanaticism. This picture certainly indicates genuine love, respect, unity, harmony and humanity which all leads to peace among all Australians. It is a real example of good Australian citizen. God bless all Australians and our home Australia.

I said to myself, “God forgive me hate this man. If I had hated, I must hate war” Those are Ms. Koko Kondo, one of the atomic bomb survivors that destroyed Hiroshima which occurred 70 years ago. Kondo describes the moment when the suicide bomber co-pilot Enola Gay, that hit Hiroshima, and who was shedding tears of severe reprimand of his conscience, because he felt extremely guilty as a result of his actions.

When the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima, Ms.Kondo was only eight months old. Since then she has devoted her life to tell the story of Hibakusha - the injured people from the blast - This year, as in every year, Coco Condo will roam the streets of her hometown to talk with students about the horrors of the war disaster that hit her home and childhood. And she will share with them the humiliation that she felt when she was a teenager, especially when she stood naked on stage while the men with white robes - doctors and scientists - examining her body from the impact of radiation poisoning signs. Coco Kondo stated that she still remembers the painful incident, when the US fiancé abandoned her a few days before their wedding, for fear of exposure to radiation that may cause her inability to have children.

Kondo is pacifist who hopes that her story will help young men and women to understand the terrible devastation felt by the victims of nuclear war. Through her intensive tours and novel stories, she is working tirelessly to reveal to the world, the way to avoid a terrible unprecedented war. The story of Ms Kondo has filled a complete edition of the New Yorker magazine in August 1946 when published for the entire year since the disaster of Hiroshima bombing, in order to make it clear to everyone how dire the destructive power of this incredible weapon, and it is imperative for all nations and peoples to reflect well, considering how terrible the effects of its use.

On the sixth day of August 1945, 70 years ago, Ms Kondo was one of those victims of thousands of women, children and elderly who experienced the worst kind of random wars. That should be rebuked by the human conscience and should not have occurred in the first place. When the nuclear weapons’ war hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki seventy years ago - even though for only three days - it is still living in the human imagination, as if it did not end, because successive wars have not stopped yet, especially if we know that nowadays, one out of every 122 people are living in exile, they have been forced to leave their homes because of past conflicts, and that the number of people killed in conflicts from 49,000 in 2010 had risen to180, 000 in 2014. It is estimated that violence costs have risen over the past four to 13.4 per cent of gross domestic product in the world. But today's conflicts are different from World War II, for most of them being internal and not between nations - such as civil wars, insurgencies, conflicts, gangs, sectarians, fanaticism, violence and terrorism, and that take place often at the grassroots level in the civil societies, if not, some of which are being abroad for the occupation, colonization and domination.

For all these reasons, we as human beings, individuals, societies and nations, we should strongly and firmly believe that it is necessary to mobilize actions and support local capacities for world peace with justice. And we should always remember subjugated peoples who suffer under imperialism, colonization and genocide, such as the people of Palestine, Iraq, Syria and the list is endless.  We must therefore working hard to prevent wars in the long term, and replace them with the development of appropriate solutions and direct negotiations for a radical change in the public opinion and in the feeble methods that are being practiced by some world leaders and politicians. Seeking therefore, to achieve a just peace in the light of true humanistic values and peace building with justice This is what we can aim to do.

At the same time we should remember the horror of the atomic Hiroshima war. We should also remember its martyrs and pay tribute to the memories of the survivors and respect those living on the renewal of their stories. It is the time to remember what does humanity means and to rethink and action those wounded humanitarian concepts, which is still suffering and bleeding in complete silence.