Photo caption: I wish to express my gratitude to The Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Council, Clr Bilal El-Hayek for honouring me with a Mayoral Certificate of Recognition 2026, on Tuesday 16 June 2026, “Awarded in recognition of distinguished service to journalism, and Muslim Community, and honouring a steadfast commitment to truth, advocacy, and integrity in reporting.

Reflections on the Order of Australia, journalistic excellence through AMUST, and a lifetime of community service

The past few weeks have been among the most humbling moments of my life.

Since the announcement on Monday 8 June 2026, as part of the King’s Birthday Honours, that I had been appointed a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) “For service to journalism, and to the Muslim community”, I have been overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and goodwill.

Hundreds of written, posted and verbal messages  arrived through phone calls, emails, letters, WhatsApp, social media and personal visits. Family members, lifelong friends, colleagues, community leaders, journalists, readers, volunteers, government officials, parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, faith leaders, academics, business leaders and countless well-wishers have all taken the time to congratulate me.

To every one of you, I offer my deepest gratitude.

Your generous words have reminded me that while honours are awarded to individuals, they are in reality built upon the encouragement, friendship and cooperation of many people over many decades.

This medal therefore does not belong to me alone. It belongs to everyone who has walked beside me throughout this remarkable journey.

Among the many aspects of this recognition, I am especially delighted that the citation acknowledges my contribution to journalism. Throughout my life I have regarded journalism not merely as a profession but as a public trust — an opportunity to give voice to communities that are too often unheard, to promote understanding rather than division, and to build bridges between cultures and faiths.

Receiving the Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 was one of the proudest moments of my life. The Order of Australia now represents another deeply meaningful affirmation that ethical community journalism has an important place in strengthening Australia’s multicultural democracy.

It is fitting that this honour comes at a particularly significant moment for AMUST.

With this July 2026 edition, AMUST enters its thirteenth year since its rebranding as an English-language multicultural newspaper.

What began as a modest publication has grown into a truly multimedia platform operating under the umbrella of Seena Incorporated, our not-for-profit organisation committed to community wellbeing and social cohesion.

Today AMUST produces a nationally distributed printed newspaper, a widely read digital e-newspaper, the weekly AMUST email newsletter, a continually updated website and an active presence across major social media platforms, enabling positive stories from Australia’s diverse communities to reach audiences both nationally and internationally.

This journey has never been mine alone.

No words can adequately express my gratitude to my beloved life partner, Mehar Ahmad, who recently celebrated her seventieth birthday and continues to serve the community with remarkable energy as a full-time teacher and President of Seena Incorporated.

She has been my greatest supporter, trusted adviser, constructive critic and constant companion. Her wisdom, strategic guidance and unwavering encouragement have sustained both AMUST and me through every challenge. Behind whatever success I may have achieved stands her quiet dedication and sacrifice.

I have also been extraordinarily blessed by our daughters.

Rubinah Ahmad, our gifted graphic designer and technology specialist, has transformed AMUST into a modern digital publication while serving with equal distinction as Administration Manager of the Australian Islamic Medical Association. Her creativity, technical expertise and tireless commitment have shaped much of what readers see today.

Mobinah Ahmad has played a major role in developing AMUST’s editorial management, social media presence and community engagement, helping us connect with readers from every corner of Australian society.

Our daughters Sakinah and Saminah have faithfully supported the secretarial, administrative and financial responsibilities of Seena Incorporated, often working quietly behind the scenes without seeking recognition.

My sincere appreciation also goes to my wonderful sons-in-law, Hafiz Dr Wali Bokhari and Waseem Ahmad, whose enthusiasm and commitment have greatly assisted the promotion and distribution of AMUST over many years.

Our extended family of around 80 members has also been part of this story. Many have willingly distributed newspapers, attended events, volunteered their time and offered constant encouragement whenever it was needed.

Beyond family, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to hundreds of community volunteers across Australia who have helped distribute AMUST from city centres to regional towns, ensuring that positive stories of our multicultural nation continue to reach diverse communities.

To our volunteer writers and contributors representing Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and many other faiths and cultural backgrounds, thank you for enriching our pages with your insights, scholarship and lived experiences. Your generosity has made AMUST a genuine platform for dialogue and mutual understanding.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to our advertisers, charitable organisations, businesses, educational institutions, mosques, community organisations, conference organisers and political representatives whose confidence in AMUST has enabled this publication to flourish. Your support has made independent multicultural journalism possible.

Australia’s multicultural success story is built not only by governments and institutions but also by ordinary citizens who quietly give their time, talents and resources for the common good.

If this Order of Australia Medal represents anything, I hope it recognises the countless volunteers whose names may never appear in honours lists but whose contributions strengthen our nation every single day.

As I reflect on more than five decades of community service since arriving in Australia in 1971 under the guidance and inspiration of my late father, Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad OAM, I remain convinced that there is still much work to do.

Australia continues to need responsible journalism, stronger intercultural understanding, meaningful interfaith dialogue and positive stories that unite rather than divide us.

With Allah’s help, and with the continued friendship and support of our readers and communities, I hope to continue serving these ideals for many years to come.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has shared in this joyful occasion.

May we continue working together to build a more compassionate, more inclusive and more harmonious Australia, Ameen.