ACT Muslim Advisory Council
The ACT Chief Minister announced the establishment of the ACT Muslim Advisory Council on 30 November 2005.
Terms of Reference
The ACT Muslim Advisory Council is responsible for the following:
- keep abreast of issues and concerns among the Muslim community of the ACT;
- act as a conduit between the ACT Muslim community and the ACT Government;
- provide advice to the Minister responsible for Multicultural Affairs on relevant government (Australian and ACT) policy development that could potentially impact on the Muslim community in the ACT; and
- make recommendations to the Minister responsible for Multicultural Affairs on issues that the Council considers advisable based on factual findings arising from consultations with the Muslim and general community.
Membership of the ACT Muslim Advisory Council
The Council’s membership draws on the talents and networks of senior figures from a number of important Islamic peak bodies and community organisations.
The Council comprises 11 members, including three women and two representatives of young Muslim people. Council members are part-time and are not remunerated. However, members are entitled to receive a Community Engagement Payment to support their attendance at meetings.
Current members have been appointed until 30 October 2012.
Chair
Ms Sally Kalek (Member since 2007)
Members
Ms Diana Abdul-Rahman (Member since 2006)
Ms Mai Albahsh (Member since 2007)
Mr Osman Adam (Member since 2007)
Mr Mohammed Berjaoui (Member since 2006)
Mr Iftikhar Haider JP (Member since 2007)
Mr Ikebal Patel (Member since 2006)
Mr Sabrija Poskovic (Member since 2006)
Dr Ejaz Qureshi (Member since 2006)
Dr Nazre Sobhan (Member since 2006)
Mr Ahmed Youssef (Member since 2006)
Some of the Council’s Recent Activities
Increasing Muslim Community Capacity
Key projects the Council has been involved with are:
- Relocation of the Islamic School of Canberra. The Council has taken a leading role in working with the ACT Government to support the relocation of the Islamic School in Canberra from Watson to a larger site in Weston Creek.
- Gaining the site for the proposed Mosque and Community Centre in Gungahlin. The Council fully supports this project which is being led by Canberra Muslim Community Incorporated.
Promoting Social Harmony and Community Connectedness
A number of projects have been jointly funded by the ACT Government and Department of Immigration and Citizenship under A National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security. Run over several years, projects have included:
- Integrated Sports Programs
- Open Days at the Canberra Mosque
- A Youth Forum
- My Life, My Photos Photographic Exhibition
- Two-Way Media Project
- One World Concert – a multicultural and multifaith concert
The Council has also established a relationship with the Gungahlin Child and Family Centre and promotes the services offered through the Centre. This is linked to action in the ACT Multicultural Strategy 2010-2013 to ‘promote the Child and Family Centres to the multicultural community sector.’
Important Dates for 2012
- Ramadan: 21 July – 21 August 2012
- ACT Muslim Advisory Council proposed meeting dates
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- Tuesday 7 February 2012
- Wednesday 22 February 2012
- Tuesday 17 April 2012
- Tuesday 19 June 2012
- Tuesday 28 August 2012
- Tuesday 23 October 2012
Secretariat
The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides secretariat support to the ACT Muslim Advisory Council.
If you would like to contact the ACT Muslim Advisory Council, please get in touch with the ACTMAC Secretariat in the Office of Multicultural Affairs:
Phone: 02 6207 0555
Email: omatsia@act.gov.au
