As local council elections approach, the need for representation that truly reflects the diversity of our communities is more important than ever. Across Australia, particularly in areas with a large Muslim population, the voices of our community should be included in the democratic decision-making process.
In the upcoming council elections, we have an opportunity to ensure that our local councils are inclusive and representative of the rich diversity of the people they serve.
Australia is home to a vibrant and highly diverse population, with notable clusters of Australian Muslims in several wards. There are many reasons for this and some of these include the easy access to local Islamic facilities like mosques, schools, community spaces, halal foods and restaurants, Muslim friendly services, family and friends and local support networks where people feel safe, valued and respected.
In Victoria, areas such as Greater Dandenong, Hume, Whittlesea, and Moreland have substantial Muslim populations. For example, Greater Dandenong is home to over 12% Muslim residents, while Hume exceeds 11%.
New South Wales has some of the highest concentrations of Muslims in the country, particularly in regions like Auburn, where nearly 43% of the population identifies as Muslim, and Lakemba, where this figure is close to 50%. Bankstown and Liverpool are also areas with significant Muslim communities, with Muslims making up around 20-30% of the population in these regions.
In Queensland, the Brisbane suburbs of Kuraby and Runcorn have seen a growing Muslim population, contributing to the multicultural fabric of the area. In South Australia, areas such as Salisbury and Playford have notable Muslim communities, with the percentage of Muslims in these regions continuing to rise, reflecting the state’s increasing cultural diversity.
Despite the significant presence of Muslims in these areas, representation in local government remains disproportionately low.
This underrepresentation can lead to a lack of understanding and representation for the needs and perspectives of our community. It’s important that we have councillors who can advocate for policies that support the needs of Australian Muslims and contribute to the broader goals of greater social cohesion at local council level.
Community minded Muslims, who have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in their local region, should consider standing as candidates in the upcoming local council elections.
By standing for election, you will not only represent the Muslim community but also help to ensure that local governance is reflective of the diverse society we live in.
The role of Muslim women in this process cannot be overstated. The 1000 Women Campaign, which is currently running across Australia, aims to increase the number of female candidates in local elections to ensure our councils better represent the gender diversity of our society.
Muslim women bring valuable perspectives to leadership and governance. Currently even in regions where Muslims make up a significant portion of the local population, they are still rarely represented in local governance, highlighting a lack of participation in the democratic election process.
With this, I announce that I’ll be standing as a candidate at the upcoming council elections for Ganbu Gulinj Ward in the City of Whittlesea. Given the opportunity, I look forward to being the voice for our highly diverse community here.
This year there are several Muslim candidates at various wards across the nation, with a significant numbers of Australian Muslim Women stepping up to the task, like Rachael Hussein, who is standing as a candidate for the Epping Ward, in the City of Whittlesea, or Haleema McGlashan, who is standing for the Thomastown ward.
Community minded Muslim women and men, who have a strong understanding of the needs of their local community should consider standing as a candidate at the upcoming council elections. Be a voice for your community, and help build a future that reflects the rich diversity of our great nation.
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