22/06/2026
๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข-๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐๐ญ๐
The 2nd Summit to address both hate and racism against the Muslim Community was held on Sat 20 June at the Big Plans Melbourne. It was attended by over 150 participants from across the nation including NSW, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland. We also had a representative from the Victims Support Group from Christchurch. There were also members from other faiths attending to support and hear about how they could work with the Muslim Community to combat Anti-Muslim Hate.
Sheik Abdul-Rahman Zyka , Imam of the ICV Mosque gave the opening Dua.
The ICV President Dr Mohamed Mohideen OAM, welcomed all and spoke about the need to take a strong stand against the hate, vilification and violence directed at the Muslim Community. He spoke of the contributions of the Muslims towards nation building including, medicine, industry, philanthropy, etc. He said there was a need for politicians to take responsibility for their words and not cause hate.
Hon Ingrid Stitt MP Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria, spoke about the contributions of the Muslim community. She spoke about the importance of social cohesion and standing up against hate and division. The Minister also congratulated the ICV for supporting the muslim community and interfaith harmony. She mentioned that The Allan Government is there for all communities.
Dr Rateb Jneid, President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, in his speech addressed the current climate of hate that's being created and that it was important for all communities to support one another to build social cohesion and interfaith harmony. He also congratulated the ICV for its outstanding work and leadership in the Muslim community across Australia.
There were two wonderful keynote addresses by
Ms Nesreen Botriell, CEO of Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights (AMWCHR) and Sheik Alaa Elzokm Oam , ICV Ambassador and Imam of Elsdeeq Mosque (Both their speeches will be published in our subsequent posts).
Attending were Evan Mulholland MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Interfaith, Iwan Walter Iwan Walters, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, H.E. Dogan Ishik, Turkish Consul General in Melbourne, Honary Consul for Fiji and VMC Commissioner Sylvia Coombes, VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen, AM, etc.
Also attending were Mohammad Bayan, President of Islamic Council of South Australia and members, Shabbir Kazi, President of Islamic Council of Tasmania, Dr Daud Batchelor, VP of Islamic Council of Queensland, delegates from Islamic Council of Western Australia, AFIC Excutive members.
We also had Ms Lauren Matthews, Director Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) speak about new Victorian Laws on Hate Crime and about reporting.
Ms Hanan Dover, Founder of Mission of Hope and Vice President of International Association of Muslim Psychologists touched on how Muslims are affected by the Anti-Muslim Hate and methods to cope.
There were workshops on topics related to dealing with reporting, bystander intervention, mental health, etc.
All attending took courage that they were not alone in dealing with the hate but are supported by many. One strong message was that people should not be afraid to report and it is important to raise issues of discrimination at all times.
Details and outcomes of the Summit will be shared in due course.
