Speech in Parliament welcoming Sheik Abdul Habib Attari -April 10, 2013

I acknowledge the original owners of this land and pay my respects to their

elders past and present.

I acknowledge this important and rare gathering of Muslims in this oldest

parliament in the country and welcome the many Muslims from the Pakistani

community that have made Australia their home.

Assalamwalaikum, Good evening to you all and greetings to all brothers and

sisters who will watch the proceedings across the globe.

It gives me great pleasure in welcoming to our parliament, Sheik Abdul Habib

Attari of Dawat-e-islami International. Sheik Attari is an executive member of

Dawat-e-islami International which has its headquarters in Karachi Pakistan..

This is the Sheik’s first visit to Australia to deliver various lectures on

encouraging Muslims and non-Muslims to work together to find peace and

prosperity. I note that he has just returned from Fiji yesterday, where he also

spoke at a number of seminars. By visiting Australia and Fiji to address various

people on Islam and peace, supports the rich tapestry of the Islamic nations in

the region, such as Indonesia and Malaysia.

There are large numbers of diverse Muslim communities in both Australia and

Fiji, so the Sheik’s visit is significant as well as symbolic for the organisation as

well as its members.

I am informed that Dawat-e-islami, is a global non-political organisation which

was established in Pakistan by its leader, Sheik Muhammad Illyas Attar Qadri

in 1981 in Karachi. It now has many followers in Pakistan and in countries

such as India, Bangladesh, Middle East, Sri Lanka, US, England, Australia,

Korea and South Africa. Its books and other materials are published in various

languages across the globe, including Turkish, Farsi, German, Chinese and

Swahili! The organisation also has its own website and 24/7 TV channel called

‘Madani TV’ which conveys the Madani message of love and peace. I am

informed that they are present here today to film this event which will be

broadcast to subscribers of the channel .

I am informed that The work that Dawat-e-Islami, varies and includes

educational services, and has in fact established hundreds of Educational

institutions around the world. It has also established Research and Media

services, Social Services and Welfare, and Administrative Services to help

Muslims of all backgrounds around the world, regardless of social, professional

or financial standing.

The organisation seeks to spread a message of peace and love between Muslims

and non-Muslims, which promotes and encourages greater tolerance and

harmony amongst all communities. This is something which I have spoken

about in this Parliament many times: acknowledging that not only are we lucky

to live in such a multicultural and diverse society here, but also paying tribute to

the significant contributions Pakistani Muslims, and Muslims from other

communities continuously make.

Respect for Muslims

It is important for all of us to acknowledge the wonderful contributions all

various ethnic communities make to the broader Australian society, and in

particular the Muslim community. I am proud of the work the Muslim

communities are doing in relation to interfaith and integration.

I am also proud of being elected to this Parliament in Australia. It just shows

that no matter what religion you are or what ethnic background you are , all are

one and all are part of the wider Australian Story.

I have great pleasure in the fact that I have opened wide the Doors of NSW

Parliament for many communities such as yours, to be a part of the Australian

Democratic process. In fact, last September, at the annual Eid Milan in

Parliament House, the Pakistani Community presented a copy of the Holy

Quran to myself and my Parliamentary colleagues to be presented to the NSW

Parliament.

Two weeks ago, I moved a motion in Parliament to formally present the Holy

Quran and it was adopted unanimously by the Legislative Council. I now look

forward to this next historic milestone, formally presenting a copy of the Holy

Quran to the President of the Legislative Council, NSW Parliament.

It is great to see how our Parliament and the Parliamentary process can

recognise and respect the various religions within our society.

I am sure you will agree that there are many decent people in our community

and around the world who are genuine in their attempt to ensure peace and

harmony in our society. I would also like to bring to the Sheik’s attention, that

Parliament not only hosts an annual Eid Milan every year for the last seven

years, but since 2004, at the initiative of former Premier and current Foreign

Affairs Minister Bob Carr, Iftar is also celebrated when he said:

“Respect and understanding are the key to making our multiculturalism work.

Tolerance is not enough; it is a grudging concept. Mutual respect is a better

way of expressing it.”

I agree with that statement, but would also like to go one step further.

The word Islam itself connotes a meaning of peace. Muslims around the world

pride themselves on being ‘tolerant’ of other religions. But as Bob Carr stated,

tolerance is not enough, because it lacks empathy and mutual understanding. As

Modern Muslims and citizens in a multicultural world, acceptance is the key.

Religious tolerance through acceptance of others is mentioned in the Quran in

several places, it is also enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, and has been

the subject of many speeches by the founding father of Pakistan, Mohammad

Ali Jinnah.

The message is as clear then as it is now, true harmony cannot come unless

there is true tolerance through mutual respect and understanding. This is

preached here and overseas, and in fact Australia is a signatory of six major UN

human rights treaties which particularly protect people from discrimination

based on race or religion.

Collectively though, and through our communities, we still have work to do in

promoting this message. Events like these and the work that I do, as well as the

work that Dawat-e-Islami does with other Muslim and non-Muslim

communities is a good and worthy step in getting there.

It is great to be here tonight to welcome the Sheik and all of you who have

come here to be part of this event. I would like to sincerely thank Sheik Attari,

My friend Mr Mohamed Shafique and Dawat-e-islami for this special gathering

tonight, and I wish him and Dawat-e-islami the best of luck and covey to you

my best wishes in your future endeavours of peace, love and harmony for all.