In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

 

THE ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

 

President Report 2015

 

All praise is due to Allah, we thank Him and seek his forgiveness and we send peace and blessings on the final and most beloved prophet Mohammed, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

“Oh you who believe fear Allah the fear He is most deserving of and do not die unless in a state of Islam”

I thank Allah (swt) for giving me the opportunity to serve in this important responsibility as President of ICWA.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I would like to remind myself and you, of what the prophet (PPBU) said: {A Muslim to a Muslim is like a built up walls which supports and holds one another}. Allah (SW) made brotherhood as the Muslims slogan or aspiration, Allah (SW) says in His book: {the believers are brothers, so mend matters between your brothers and fear Allah so you may do well}.

 

I would like to give a big thank you to the Executive Committee (EXCO) for supporting me in this important responsibility. I also acknowledged the hard work by the EXCO. “I congratulate and thank the EXCO members for their hard work and dedication.

The Islamic Council of WA has twenty one affiliated associations as members, and we received three new membership applications Alhamdulillah. My plan still stands to unite most of the Islamic Associations under the umbrella of ICWA.

In our Masjid, many activities were conducted by our resident Imam Hisham Oubid, these activities included (to mention a few) Hajj classes, prison and hospital visits, adult religious education classes, classes for converts, counselling for marriage and marital matters, assistance with understanding Halal matters, general assistance to understand the correct or the more appropriate interpretation of many matters in the religion. Through these extensive activities Imam Hisham has made a substantial contribution to the pastoral care including the religious education of the Islamic community over the last year.

Over the year the Masjid has continued to assist other associations by allowing the facility to be used for continuous religious instruction in classes, particularly for youth, and Women Welfare and Advocacy. It is with pride that we note that the associations carrying out these activities did not confine their help to Muslims.

ICWA continue to improve multicultural relationships throughout Western Australia.

ICWA has established Legal Subcommittee and Board of Imams Alhamdulillah.

ICWA had meeting with WA Cemetery board concerning need for more space for Muslim burials and issues about Muslim cemeteries in WA, also to establish burial services.

ICWA continue to make donations to help people of their difficult economic conditions.

ICWA received a State government grant for EID celebration.

ICWA used the money to organise an EID function which both Muslims and non Muslim were invited. The function was held at Langford Islamic College, Alhamdulillah we had an over whelming response and the event was a great success.

Halal subcommittee now is functional and income starts coming Alhamdulillah. Our next aim is to expand Halal certification for local and International business Insha-Allah.

ICWA has lodged an application at IP Australia to register Halal logo as a trade mark.

ICWA’s hate crime reporting website attracts attention from non Muslim and Muslims across the country.

ICWA’s round table meeting in May last year with WAPOL to discuss rise of Far Right (ADL).

Rise in anti Muslim sentiments in WA with vandalism of two local mosques and a school and ICWA made representation to WA state government.

ICWA attended Tea function with AFP and customs and border protection.

18 press releases issued on topical issues to media outlets and writers.

ICWA attended Morning Tea function with the Commissioner of Police and police community engagement unit.

ICWA attended meeting with the Premier of Western Australia at the Parliament House.

I attended 2014 AFIC Congress meeting and four AFIC Federal Council meeting in Sydney.

May Allah (s.w.t) guide and lead us to the truth and to Jannah, Ameen!

 

Dr Rateb Jneid

President