Photo: From left: Professor Talal Yassine AM, Salaam Group and Mr Yasser Zaki, TLC Disability Services.
The Salaam Group launched Salaam Living, a new service in partnership with TLC Disability Services, designed to assist Australian Muslims in navigating the complexities of aged care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), at a community event held at Western Sydney University, Bankstown Campus on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
While announcing this new initiative, Salaam Group Managing Director Professor Talal Yassine AM said, “Salaam Living will act as the first point of contact for individuals and families within the Muslim community, to provide essential guidance and support to simplify the process of accessing these vital government services.”
The launch event was attended diverse audience including business and community leaders, politicians, service providers and community members impacted by special needs.
The formal program was MC’ed by Sabrine Yassine where a number of speakers addressed the audience:
- Professor Talal Yassine AM: Salaam Group Managing Director.
- The Hon John Della Bosca AM: Pioneer of disability policy in Australia having involved in the formation of the NDIS.
- Mr Yasser Zaki: CEO, TLC Disability Services.
- Councillor Bilal El-Hayek: Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
- Mrs Mehar Ahmad: President, Seena Inc, community leader, advocate having personal experience in disability services.
- Billi: A resilient and determined individual who turned life’s challenges into opportunities.
- Ms Laura Cowell: CEO (Australia), TLC Disability services.
Sharing his personal experience Professor Yassine said, “I’ve experienced first-hand the benefit of at-home care with my elderly father, and I know from discussions with community that at-home is the preferred delivery of aged care and disability care services for the Australian Muslim population. I also understand that access to aged care and NDIS services can feel overwhelming for many in the community. Salaam Living is here to make the process easier, with a compassionate approach that ensures our community receives the guidance and support it needs, right from the start.”
Speaking at the launch, the visionary behind the roll-out of the NDIS more than a decade ago, the Hon John Della Bosca pointed out that People with disability are not just one group of people different faiths, Muslims, Christians, Jews of different races and cultural backgrounds and need services appropriate to their particular needs.
“ I have always believed in the importance of the NDIS and as the inaugural campaign director of the scheme I’ve seen the benefits that it has provided Australia’s disabled community first-hand,” Mr Della Bosca said.
He further added, “However the scheme is currently at breaking point. Without an influx of service providers, partners and community-minded organisations coming together to offer essential care, support, therapy, aids, equipment, home modifications, education, training and connection to community we are at risk of a national crisis.”
Salaam Living will have built-in values and cultural sensitivities unique to Australia’s Muslim community and will operate as an important connection point between the Muslim community and registered disability and aged care provider TLC.
TLC Aged Care and Disability Services CEO, Yasser Zaki said, “We are passionate about enriching lives and ensuring that older and the more vulnerable members of our community stay connected to what matters most to them. By partnering with Salaam, we can offer bespoke access to a comprehensive range of support services that meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of Australia’s Muslim community, allowing them to continue learning, living, loving, and enjoying every day.”
TLC will bring extensive experience and expertise in handling the full eligibility assessments and providing the necessary care once eligibility is confirmed, while Salaam Living focuses on making the connection to care as smooth as possible, without any upfront fees.
Excited about the partnership between Salaam Living and TLC Disability Services, Professor Yassine said, “Salaam Group’s partnership with TLC Aged Care and Disability Services represents a significant step in our commitment to the well-being of our community. Together, we can ensure that our older Australians receive the care and support they deserve, empowering them to live their lives fully and with dignity.”
The recently re-elected Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown Council, Councillor Bilal El-Hayek during his address pointed out that Australia, like most countries around the world, has an increasing aging population, and the import of the service aged care service sector provide should never be underestimated.
“Both the federal and state governments realise that by keeping old Australians at home and offering them support and care, it is more cost-effective and beneficial to their over all health and quality of life,” Mr El-Hayek said.
He further elaborated, “and as you know, particularly if you come from a multicultural background, there is a reluctance of aging family members to leave their homes and be placed in nursing homes or aged care facilities.”
“Their home and their connection to family is so important, but often the family members are unable to care for them obviously due to work commitments that’s why services like Salaam Living will come a long way in caring for them,” Mr El-Hayek concluded.
Addressing the given topic, ‘Islam’s Ethos for people with disability’, Mrs Mehar Ahmad, President of Seena Incorporated, publishers of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST quoting from the Quran and relating with the Prophet Mohammad’s (s) Seerah (living) about one of his companions Abdullah bin Maktoom, a blind man, the importance of compassion for people with disability and recognition of their abilities in serving the community.
She also recalled the institutionalisation of care for the disabled, the sick and the poor during the Caliphate of Umar bin Abdul Aziz saying, he instructed his governors from each province to send him the names of those who were blind, of those who were disabled, and of those who were too chronically ill in order to provide carers and stidends for them and their integration in all walks of community life.
“In the light of Quran and Hadith and early Islamic civilisation, we understand that Islam’s ethos strongly supports compassion, care and inclusion for individual with special needs,” Mrs Ahmad said.
Reflecting on her personal journey in dealing with disability of her three children, she frankly talked about difficulties, challenges and opportunities she encountered as a parent specially when there was no NDIS.
“In the past we frequently took our children to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and speech therapy where being a parent and caregiver brought a heavy load while navigating life with multiple children with disabilities, especially before the availability of resources like NDIS. It has been incredibly difficult however for us our children are gifts from Allah, and we take great pride in being chosen to be their parents. We always felt a profound sense of gratitude and dedication despite the difficulties,” Mrs Ahmad acknowledged.
Another speaker at the event was Billy, a determined individual whose life was turned into a dynamo after coming in contact with Yasser Zaki and TLC.
After leaving school due to bullying about his disability – dwarfism, he found his passion and talent in acting, landing a role in the popular Australian comedy series Fat Pizza. Today, Bili channels his leadership skills as a supervisor at TLC Impact Café, where he plays a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Bili’s journey from overcoming adversity to becoming a supervisor and entertainer is a testament to his strength and perseverance.
Billi talked about his transformation into a productive highly energetic individual giving back to the community saying, ” I got connected to TLC in that, which is with the coffee, I manage the coffee shop now while back then I didn’t know anything about a coffee know and I’ve got what I do. So you partnership and connection is very important why because you can get anywhere in life with finership and connection.”
The final speaker at the event was Ms Laura Cowell, CEO (Australia) of TLC Disability services saying, “it’s a privilege share the story of Tender Loving Care, a story of growth, resilience, and the impact that we are making on the lives of people across Australia where I have the privilege of leading the an organisation that started from humble beginnings in past and has since grown into a multi site, Australia wide and international operation.”
She further added, “a key strength of our team is where our staff are highly multilingual, speaking over 35 languages, which allows us to break down communication barriers and provide culturally sensitive care ensuring that all our clients feel heard, understood and valued.”
“Today you heard from Billy, who shared his story a story that reflects just one of the thousands of successes we’ve seen aene his journey, like so many others, embodies what TLC is all about, supporting people to be whatever they want to be to rise above their challenges and achieve their full potential,” Ms Cowell concluded.
The event ended with vote of thanks by the MC followed by refreshments and interviews with guests on their reflections on Salaam Living.
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