More than 100 invited guests from different states of Australia attended AFIC’s lavish dinner on Thursday 12 at the Four Seasons Restaurant, Pavillion Hotel Canberra to bid farewell to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Korhan Karakoc.
The event which was attended by ambassadors from several nations, AFIC President Dr Rateb Jneid told the guests that AFIC is embarking on a new era of renewed vigour and service to Australian Muslims.
“I was humbled and honoured to be re-elected as AFIC president recently and to have my committee replenished with more active and eager members to serve the community.”
“This is our first event since the election and I can assure you that we will have more events and more activities to serve our community,” Dr Jneid told the gathering.
Sheikh Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari, National Grand Mufti of Australia, used the opportunity to remind the guests of the rich Ottoman history and how the Ottoman Turks protected and propagated Islam over three continents.
“I congratulate his excellency Mr Karakoc for his excellent tenure as ambassador and I leave you with this message, as an educator, I always advise the children at my ten schools, that we are all ambassadors for something, you are the ambassadors of our schools and of Islam, so always spread goodness and always, give the best of what you have,” the Sheikh said.
The dinner’s MC, AFIC Assistant Treasurer Mohammed Berjaoui spoke of his Turkish ancestry when he thanked the National Grand Mufti for praising the legacy of the Great Ottoman Caliphate which protected Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the three continents that it ruled with justice, equity and fairness.
He expressed his pride in the advances made by the Republic of Turkey telling the Ambassador that he is praying that this is not a farewell, but a brief sojourn and that he hopes to see him again in a more senior post in the Foreign Ministry.
“Your Excellency, we have so much to achieve together, I hope to continue working with you after you leave this post, hopefully as you rise in the ranks with the Foreign Ministry, we may see you again to continue our mission of Australian Turkish Friendship,” Mr Berjaoui concluded.
Sheikh Malek Zeidan with Hajj Abdullah Chami, Khaled El Kordi and Ahmad Taleb
National Grand Mufti Al Azhari with his wife and Acting Malaysian High Commissioner His Excellency Mr Abu Hirzan Bin Mustapa
Sh Mossab Legha with Russian Ambassador His Excellency Dr Alexey Pavlovsky and former Libyan Ambassador Mosbah Allafi
His Excellency Mr Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, High Commissioner for Pakistan, his wife Mrs Sabina Zahid, Mrs Berjaoui and his excellency Ramil Gurbanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan
Sh Mohamad Aboueid with opening Qur’an recitation
His Excellency Korhan Karakoc, Ambassador of Turkiye with Dr Rateb Jneid and Br Mohammed Berjaoui
Mohammed Berjaoui with Maya and Nora Berjaoui
Dr Rateb and Mrs Manal Jneid with Br Mohammed and Mrs Maya Berjaoui
LMA committee member Br Ahmad Berjaoui with Mrs Berjaoui and Dr and Mrs Jneid
ICNSW president Khaled Sukkarieh with VP Ali Roude, Lebanese Ambassador Milad Raad with Dr Rateb Jneid and guest
From the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait Embassies
Ambassador Karakoc, Dr Jneid and guests
Dr Jneid with Islamic Council of ACT president Br Ziad Jaber
Dr Jneid with Jordanian Ambassador Dr Ali Kreishan, She Aboueid and AFIC exco member Ahmed Hegazi
AFIC Committee members Abdul Wahab Neeman, Ahmad Taleb cutting the Knefe with His Excellency Korhan Karakoc and Sh Mossab Legha, Dr Jneid, Sh Zeidan and Abdullah Chami
His Excellency Korhan karakoc with guests
Dr Jneid with Saudi Charge D’Affairs Mr Khaled Alshammri
Dr Jneid with AFIC Treasurer Adam Demir and Elminieh Association President Mustapha Mahfoud and members
Dr Jneid with Mr Berjaoui making a presentation to his excellency Korhan Karakoc
The Most Eminent Sh Abdul Quddos Al Azhari, National Grand Mufti of Australia
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