Saturday 8 April saw the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) host some 300 guests at its annual Iftar at the Orion Function Centre in Campsie, Sydney.
The guest list included the Consul-General of Lebanon, the Consul-General and Vice Consul of Turkey and many prominent politicians from the three levels of Australian Government including Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and recently appointed State Cabinet Ministers Sophie Cotsis (Industrial Relations) and Jihad Dib (Customer Service).
The LMA also welcomed many of its partners, sponsors, members and staff and prominent religious, business, medical, educational and media figures.
It was very pleasing to see a strong roll-up from many community organisations, while the many high profile religious leaders at the gathering included LMA Lakemba Mosque’s Imam Sheikh Yehya Safi, Australia’s Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed and ANIC president Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman.
Sheikh Yehya spoke passionately about an LMA initiative of which he is justifiably proud, the introduction of the Al-Azhar Project, where full and part-time Shariah students have the unique opportunity to obtain an Azhari College degree through the branch of Azhar (Lebanon) and recognised by the iconic Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
In the days leading up to the Iftar, the LMA issued a strongly worded media release in support of Palestine.
And Association secretary Gamel Kheir doubled down on this statement at the Iftar – reiterating that the LMA stands with Palestine – and calling upon the Australian government to make a stand by denouncing Israel, its leaders and its army, in the hope that the rest of the world will follow.
A graphic video of the recent brutal attacks on Muslim worshippers praying at the sacred Al-Aksa Mosque visibly moved many of the guests present.
An earlier video presentation showcased the LMA’s many noteworthy achievements and milestones over the past 18 months, since the election of the current board of directors.
These included the announcement by the board last July of the “LMA: Our Community, Our Future” project: a major upgrade of Lakemba Mosque and its grounds and the nearby Wangee Rd streetscape as well as the LMA Islamic Funeral Services and the four-storey LMA services building.
The infrastructure repairs and upgrades of all its buildings are desperately needed by the LMA to support the capacity and delivery of its services.
The community is being asked to assist with this project by way of donations, bearing in mind that the LMA didn’t request donations from the public to assist with any of its 2022 property purchases or any of its other recent major projects.
A heart-warming sight at the Iftar was that of over 20 Mashaykh from not only Sydney but also interstate and overseas enjoying each other’s company at adjoining tables.
The night ended on a superb note when the six-member Nasheed group Ahbab Al-Mustafa manned the stage and delivered some amazing Islamic poetry, accompanied by the beating of drums.
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