A powerful call for justice, dignity and the transformative power of education echoed through the Grand Ballroom of Bankstown Sports Club on Saturday 21 February 2026, as the Indian Minority Education Society of Australia Inc (IMESA) hosted its annual fundraising Iftar in Sydney.
Addressing a crowd of more than 450 attendees, Federal Senator Mehreen Faruqi delivered a keynote speech that struck a deep chord with the audience, linking faith, global justice and the urgent need to invest in education for the world’s most vulnerable children.
“IMESA’s work reminds us that hope is not abstract,” Senator Faruqi said. “Hope is built. Hope is organised. Hope is taught. The work IMESA does to educate the poorest Muslim children in India is not just charity, it is not just kindness, it is hope. It is the quiet construction of a different future. It is, in many ways, an answered prayer.”
She emphasised that education is “a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” reflecting on her own upbringing in Pakistan and the transformative role education can play.
“Education is the most powerful tool to transform the world. It is the foundation on which justice is built. It is how cycles of poverty are broken, dignity is restored and voices are empowered. When we invest in education, we are not simply teaching children to read and write; we are giving them the ability to imagine life beyond survival,” she further added.
Senator Faruqi warned that in times of climate disaster and crisis, “education is the first thing to collapse and the last thing to be rebuilt,” stressing that education-focused aid “is not secondary, it is not optional, it is central to justice.”
She went further, linking global inequality to history: “The poverty of the global south is the direct result of the history of colonialism. Aid is not a favour bestowed from rich countries to poor. It is a debt owed to repair historic wrongs and ongoing damages.”
Drawing on the spirit of Ramadan, she reminded the audience that “faith is not passive, it demands action. Zakat is not an optional charity, it is an obligation. It is recognition that wealth is a trust, not an entitlement.” In a stirring conclusion, she said, “I can hear a better world breathing in this room. I hear it in your kindness, in your love, in your commitment and in your refusal to turn away from injustice.”
The evening, compered by Mr Shahnwaz Ali and Dr Nisa Sheriff, began with a Qur’an recitation by Sheikh Anas Aga and set a reflective tone focused on IMESA’s “Taleemi Jamaat” project, which supports severely underprivileged Muslim children in India through tutoring and mentoring programs.
A video message from Federal Senator Fatima Payman, who was unable to attend in person due to her pregnancy, further inspired the gathering. “Education is a pathway to dignity, independence and service,” she said.
“IMESA exists to ensure that financial hardship does not rob a child of the opportunity of education. They are not only funding school supplies, they are funding confidence, hope and leadership.”
Recalling that the first revealed word of the Qur’an was “Iqra” (Read), Senator Payman said, “When you support a child, you create ongoing charity. When you support learning, you invest in beneficial knowledge. When you uplift a child, you empower a future that will one day uplift others; that is legacy.”
She stressed that IMESA’s programs are “not about charity that creates dependency; they are about empowerment that builds capacity,” urging donors to give through Zakat and Sadaqat with conviction.
Earlier, community leader Keysar Trad highlighted the stark contrast between opportunities in Australia and the harsh realities faced by impoverished children in India, many of whom are forced into child labour.
IMESA, he said, is working to prevent such outcomes by keeping children in school and nurturing their aspirations.
Mr Zahid Jamil, while welcoming the guests on behalf of IMESA executive committee, underscored the importance of knowledge, recalling the motto of his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology, “Knowledge is Power.”
He called on Muslims globally to “become a nation of knowledge once again,” supporting those deprived of even basic education.
The fundraising appeal was warmly received, with generous donations pledged to sustain projects currently supporting nearly 1,500 children across multiple Indian states.
As a registered charity with ACNC and DGR status, IMESA ensures donated funds are fully remitted to project sites for educational expenses.
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Syed Aslam Shaheer, who praised the unity and commitment of the community.
With growing support and calls for regular monthly contributions, IMESA’s message was clear: through education, hope is not only imagined — it is built.
Comments