The founder of the Islamophobia Register, Mariam Veiszadeh was the winner of two awards in categories, “Role Model of the Year” and “Women of the Year” at the 9th Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2015 held on Saturday 19 December at The Bryan Brown Theatre in Bankstown.
“It was extremely humbling to receive the Woman of the Year and the Role Model of the Year Award at the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards this evening. I’m truly overwhelmed by it all”, Mariam said.
She thanked her whole family, specially her mother, “an epitome of courage” and her husband Ehsaan Veiszadeh “my rock” for his support during tough times.
“I’d also like to thank those who have been instrumental in providing me a platform – without you I wouldn’t be where I am today. Congratulations also to all of the other nominees and award winners”, she added.
Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad with Lifetime Achiever Award Winner Mona Abdel-Fattah at the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2015.
AMAA event is held on an yearly basis to honour high achievers in the community in a large number of categories. The event is coordinated by Hanan Dover of Mission of Hope and is sponsored by various community organisations and businesses.
Mariam, a lawyer and community rights advocate has been leading the charge against Islamophobia. During her keynote speech she shared the trauma she had to go through and the challenges she faced during her advocacy campaign for the last two years.
Other speakers at the event included Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, Mufti of Australia, and Ghaith Krayem and performances were given by Hameed Attai, Nasheed Singer and Zohab Khan, a Spoken Word Artist.
The Lifetime achievement Award was won by Mrs Mona Abdel-Fattah, the principle of Australian Islamic Academy at Strathfield campus.
The People’s Choice Award 2014 was won by Osman Korolia, Deputy Principle at Unity Grammar College who had the following comments “An inspiring evening though with some amazing people here who all do amazing in their everyday life and in doing so make our society a better place. Congratulations to Hanan Dover and the team at Mission of Hope and their sponsors for this incredible event and dinner that followed.
Above all I wish to express my eternal gratitude to my wife Salima Hawli Karolia, this award is dedicated to her and her endless and unwavering support for all that I do.”
The Media Outlet of the Year award winner Randa Abdel-Fattah said “honestly stunned to win media personality award. So humbled and grateful to those who supported me. I’m very conscious of the enormous responsibility media engagement demands. Thanks for supporting me during the good ones and the brutal cringe worthy stuff ups! And thanks Hanan Dover and the Mission of Hope team for putting on a really inspiring night. Blessed to have shared the night with my family and mother who won Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Sean McNulty and Soumayya Najjarine acted as the masters of ceremony with their usual entertaining style.
The winners in various categories were as follows:
Best New Community Project - Brothers In Need
Creative Artist of the Year - Ahmad Sabra – Falafel and Photography
Business of the Year - Nadine Bakka Mobile Speech Therapy Services
Community Organisation of the Year - Islamic Relief Australia
Event of the Year - Eid Show
People’s Choice 2014 – Osman Karolia
Abyssinian of the Year – Damian Ridgwell
Role Model of the Year - Mariam Veiszadeh
Media Outlet of the Year - Randa Abdel-Fattah
Professional of the Year – Nooria Mehraby
Lifetime Achiever Award – Mona Abdel-Fattah
Woman of the Year – Mariam Veiszadeh
Man of the Year – Dr Yassir Morsi
Youth of the Year - Yassmin Abdel-Magied
People’s Choice for 2015 – Julide Turker
Winners of the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2014-2015 at Bryan Brown Theatre
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- Hanan Dover
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- Presenting Best New Community Project of the Year, Mazen Fahme
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- Winner of the Best New Community Project of the Year: Brothers in Need
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- Presenting the award for Creative Artist of the Year, with Ahmed Aboushabana
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- Creative Artist of the Year: Ahmad Sabra
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- Business of the Year: Nadine Bakka Speech Pathology
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- Keynote Speaker, Ghaith Krayem
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- Community Organisation of the year: Islamic Relief Australia
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- Event of the year: Annual Islamic Eid Show
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- Mehmet Ozalp with Osman Korolia, 2014 People’s Choice Award winner
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- 2014 People’s Choice Award: Osman Corolla
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- “Resider of the heart” Nasheed by Hameed Attai
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- Spoken Word Performance by Zohab Khan
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- Role model of the Year: Mariam Veiszadeh
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- Professional of the Year: Nooria Mehraby
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- Fred El-Harris with Randa Abdel-Fattah, Media Outlet of the Year
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- Media Outlet of the Year: Randa Abdel-Fattah
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- Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, Mufti of Australia presenting the Lifetime Achievers Award
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- Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed with Mona Abdel-Fattah, Lifetime Achiever Award winner
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- Lifetime Achiever Award: Mona Abdel-Fattah
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- Woman of the Year: Mariam Veiszadeh
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- Man of the Year: Dr Yassir Morsi
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- MC of the event: Soumaya Najjarin
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- Mona Abdel-Fatah with her daughter, Randa
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- Mariam Veiszadeh with her husband, Ehsan
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- From left: Maha Abdo, Mariam Veiszadeh and Hanan Dover
I am not a Muslim but I read the hatred that Mariam has experienced just today. A young mother and Lawyer she has struggled against prejudices. Congratulations to Mariam. I was born in New Zealand and live in Australia and what a wonderful example to society this lady is. I am somewhat worried with a Political Party, however the One Nation have to realise Australia is a Multicultural country which actually belongs to the Indigenous people. Please pass my sincere congratulations to her and family. Regards