The Muslim Leadership Program (MLP) is an annual program co-coordinated by the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV).
The Centre for Dialogue is a major initiative of La Trobe University. The Centre, founded by Emeritus Professor Joseph Camilleri, was inaugurated on 15 August 2006.
The MLP offers now in its ninth year offers students an opportunity to Network with Australia’s leading shapers of public policy and opinion in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, as well as engaging with future thought leaders from Muslim communities in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
I am very proud to have hosted this program for most of the 9 years it has been running. And this year I’m honoured to be welcoming to Parliament House the members of the MLP 2014.
They are 10 exceptionally talented and bright young people of Muslim faith, who come from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and professions.
They are:
1.Ms Reyhana Ahmednur,21, a student at the University of Melbourne with an interest in social enhancement and education in the ethnic community, specifically the Oromo people.
2.Mohammad Ali Baqiri, 23, second year law students at Victoria University. He is a refugee advocate with a passion in human rights and learning as much as he can about Australia’s refugee policy.
3.Ms Aisha Dani,38, a start-up manager with an interest areas and business education and social enterprise.
4.Ms Subriah Esharc, final year law student who hopes to pursue a career in brand management.
5.Mr Abdul Hammoud , 22, salesman and "spoken word" artist by night. His work includes performances at benefits for Gaza and Syria.
His interest lies in education policies that affect minorities and marginalized communities.
6.Mr Mohammad Ali Hijzi, 29,University and prison chaplain. He is interested in focusing on streamlining and maximizing budgets for education and leadership projects.
7.Ms Amena Ziard, 22, University student, magazine editor. A student at Monash University who is studying a BA in Communications.
8.Fatima Hoblos
9.Wael Mohamed, youth worker
10. Rueben Street, an award winning film maker whose film "Once Upon a Mountain" received an award for best social benefit documentary in the Eugene International Film Festival 2013. He directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film.
All these people are young leaders in their communities, all are here to learn about engagement with members of parliament and to advocate on behalf of their communities on issues they feel are pertinent and of concern.
Some of the major issues that are raised in this leadership program, are obviously, the impact the current situation in Iraq, Syria and the Middle East is having on the Muslim community in Australia. Including development within national security.
The young leaders impressed upon us their unease that members of their community feel that are being targeted. They also raised a very important point, and that is, the role of MPs and political leaders and the impact their behavior and language has on creating general perceptions in the broader community.
I agree with them XXX Speaker the language that some of colleagues use is inflammatory and designed to create unease.
Although I acknowledge that we have a right to express concerns as MPs I also think we should be mindful of unintended consequences.
Because some of the issues that are raised are complex and difficult and deserve debate, I agree, but they end being just sensationalist headlines and that isn’t helpful.
I want to congratulate this year’s participates, I have spent time with them up here and I am confident that they will make wise and effective leadership in their communities.
I hope their experience was positive, and in coming to know MPS in a personal way that they leave us here with the belief that they can make a difference.
I congratulate the organizers of the event.
