PIA NEWS VOL.

Issue 21

PIA News
Vol.5

13 th October 2015
A

A NEW YEAR BEGINS

PASSION, INTEGRITY & APNAPAN

Dear All,
The events of last week have once again seen Muslim community at the centre of media attention as we
saw loss of two lives in another act of terrorism. Pakistani community was already struggling with the
untimely demise of late Talha Wahab and was clearly in distress which was further escalated with antimosques protest around Australia.
Our members have written to us to clearly communicate that Pakistani community in Australia which is
predominantly Muslim condemns any act of violence in whatsoever name it is being carried.
We offer our sincere sympathies to the families of Late Curtis Cheung as well as of Fahad Jabbar. It is
very important that the families of those who have become victim of the perpetrators in the name of
Islam also feel supported by those around because only then they will come forward and seek help if
required. Just because one or more members of a family indulge themselves in an inhumane act does
not mean that we ridicule every member of that family or community. They also go through the same
grief and bereavement as anyone else.
The community has also welcomed the change in the language used by the government officials
avoiding phrases like Team Australia and Death Cult however the phrases like go where you come from
and leave Australia if you do not like it may not serve the purpose they are meant for but rather escalate
the already high level of distress for those who have no other home than Australia.
We also had another community member in Perth who passed away last week and the messages of
condolences have been conveyed. Last but not the least another member of the community has lost
three of their extended family members in the Stampede during Hajj and we offer our sincerest
sympathies.

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Western Australia Hosts the High Commissioner of Pakistan

As announced in our August event, our High Commissioner Her Excellency Naila Chauhan will be visiting
Perth in two weeks time. PIA is organising two events during the visit of which the first one is a dinner
on Sunday the 25th October, 2015 and the later is a public lecture on Peace and Stability in South Asia
which is schedueld for 26th October, 5 pm at the Univeristy of Western Australia in collaboration with
UWA International Relations Society.

MEETING WITH HON. LIZ BEHJET

Last Friday, we were invited to meet Hon. Liz Behjet at her office. The meeting was attended by Ms.
Shereen Qamar, Maria Farooq, Zarrin Siddiqui, Sherry Sufi and Haider Zaman. A number of points came
for discussion and one of them was related to domestic violence with few ideas presented to the Hon.
Members office.

PIA COLLABORATES
In the month of June August PIA has worked with the Collaborative Communities Network to raise
funds and collect clothes for the Nepal earthquake. While the donations were immediately handed over
to the delegated person, it is a pleasure to inform that in all 6533.55$ were raised.
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As mentioned in last issue we are now working on another project and have submitted a grant
application to hold a festival of languages and are waiting. Please do note that we are also working on
another exciting project to be undertaken in December.
PIA will also participate in International Food festival in November along with the poetry eve on 14th
November.

MULTICULTURAL EID FESTIVAL ON 11TH OCTOBER 2015

Thank you for your participation in the event last Sunday which was attended by Hon. Mike Nahan, Hon.
Alannah McTiernan, Hon. Margaret Quirk and other dignitaries from all faiths and communities to come
together. Mr. Iqbal Samanakay was the lead coordinator for the project on behalf of Muslim Social and
Sports Association supported by Pakistanis in Australia, Office of Multicultural Interests and City of
Perth.
A number of performers from all faiths and religion performed to be part of the Muslim festival and the
Pakistani band TalBees kept the audience attentive for almost an hour on a very hot day and were talk
of the crowd who did not compromise on the applause given to each performance group. Mel Fialho
was the Master of the ceremony and was praised for his lively voice and personality with big smile.
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HIGH COMMISSION FOR PAKISTAN

4 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla
Canberra ACT 2600 (Australia), P.O Box # 7130
Tel: +61-2-6273 1114 Fax: +61-2-6273 1199
Email: parepcanberra@internode.on.net

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 7 October 2015

The recent unfortunate incident between a Pakistani origin Australian citizen and a staff member of
the Pakistan Consulate General in Sydney on the issuance of a visa attracted negative attention of
the community in Australia and abroad through some malicious posts on social media.
Given the gravity of the situation, the High Commission intervened and after holding several joint
meetings with all the parties, amicably resolved the matter.
On the special request of PAA, the High Commissioner agreed to review the decision of refusal of
visa to the individual involved, on the PAA assurance that there will never be recurrence of such
indecent and inappropriate behavior towards the Consulate General.
The High Commissioner deeply appreciated the positive and constructive role played by Mr. Abbas
Rana, the President of PAA and his team in the resolution of the problem and assured the
Community that best efforts would be made to further improve the Consular services in Sydney,
with the support of the community.
The PAA, while regretting the incident, appreciated Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili, Consul General of
Pakistan who has shown maturity, professionalism and patriotism all along.
The President PAA appealed to the members of the Pakistani community to show respect to the office
that carries the flag of Pakistan and demonstrate understanding and patience while seeking consular
services, in line with good Australian and Pakistani values.
It must be clearly understood that the use of indecent language and inappropriate behavior in a
Government Representative office is prohibited by law, both in Australia and in Pakistan.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that the matter has been amicably resolved. All Pakistanis and
Australians of Pakistani origin are requested to stop dwelling on this issue and negatively
commenting on it in the social media or elsewhere for the sake of the good name of our beloved
Pakistan and Australia.

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MATTERS OF THE HEART 2015

The event will be held on 14th November at Manning Senior Citizen Centre. Due to incoming projects the
invitations have been delayed for a week. If there is anyone that you want us to invite please send their
name and address to us.

FINAL WEEK BEFORE VOTING CLOSE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Please note that your votes should arrive at the local Council by 17th October so use your vote and
select the best of best among the candidates.
We have brother Sam Yusuf, and Muhammad Asim from City of Gosnells, Kassem Seedat from City
of Wanneroo and Constance Dewan from City of Stirling whose services have been acknowledged
by community and deserve your vote.

Constance Dewan

Kassem Seedat

Sam Yousef

Muhammad Asim