Khadijah Habbouche with her People’s Choice award.
The 2024 Sydney Awards, held on Thursday 12 September at The Crown, Sydney, celebrated some of the city’s most inspiring individuals, with 17-year-old Khadijah Habbouche receiving the prestigious People’s Choice Award – Individual for her impactful advocacy on behalf of young Muslim women.
Khadijah, an Australian Muslim of Lebanese-Palestinian heritage, made a powerful entrance in a traditional Palestinian dress.
Opening her acceptance speech with the Islamic greeting of peace, Asalaamu Alaikum, she expressed a poignant message: “I’m accepting this today as a Palestinian on day 341 of genocide, where even here in Sydney, so many voices are being silenced and I myself have experienced this. But as a Palestinian, resilience, adaptability, and strength are part of my DNA, and that is something I’m extremely proud of. This recognition is not for me but for my community.”
She extended her thanks to Muslim Women Australia (MWA) for mentorship opportunities and to her parents for instilling values that guide her work.
“The work I’m involved in is part of who I am and the way that I was raised. I was taught to always help others, make a difference, and advocate for others wherever I could,” she added.
Driven by her passion for teaching, Khadijah fast-tracked her education, bypassing traditional year 11 and 12 studies through a bridging course. Now studying a Bachelor of Primary Teaching at university, she’s paving the way to becoming an educator while many of her peers are still completing high school.
This enterprising spirit is characteristic of Khadijah, whose response to the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns exemplified her proactive approach. She co-founded the Muslim Women Australia’s Youth Advisory Committee, creating a platform to address issues young people faced during the extended lockdown, especially in Southwest Sydney.
Her commitment to community support doesn’t stop there; as a certified swim instructor, Khadijah teaches swimming to women who have escaped domestic violence, contributing to their healing process. Across her various community roles, she mentors young girls using culturally and religiously inclusive mental health and leadership strategies.
Muslim Women Australia (MWA) shared their pride in her achievement, stating: “The public voted for the People’s Choice, and the public has spoken. With so much silencing and shutting down of certain topics, Khadijah acknowledges this recognition is not for herself, but for the community. We are proud to congratulate her for winning the ‘People’s Choice Award’ and commendable finalist for ‘Young Sydneysider of the Year’ at the 2024 Sydney Awards. She acknowledges her Palestinian roots as a source of empowerment, recognising the duality of our reality and reminding us that the genocide continues.”
Organised by the Committee for Sydney, the 2024 Sydney Awards recognise extraordinary city shapers and changemakers.
Comments