Islamic Council of Victoria #YES23 Launch

Islamic Council of Victoria ‘Yes’ Campaign Launch

Islamic Council of Victoria #YES23 Launch

On Sunday 20th August, the Islamic Council of Victoria formally launched its Yes Support for the Voice at the Docklands library Hub. It was attended by members of the Victorian Muslim community and members of other faith communities.

The Islamic Council of Victoria has a long history with Australia’s First Nations people including being the first Faith body to sign an Accord with the 1st Nations People Congress in 2018. For Muslims, respecting the rights and standing for justice of the people of a country is an inherent part of the Faith.

The opening prayer was given by Sheik Alaa Elzokm OAM who spoke of justice and equality for all, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Adel Salman, President of Islamic Council of Victoria, welcomed the audience and officially announced our Support for the Yes Campaign. He spoke of the close connections with First Nations people and the Islamic Council of Victoria, and while acknowledging that not all First Nations individuals are in support of the Voice, the Islamic Council of Victoria had decided to support the Referendum for a Voice in the Australian Constitution.

Andrew Gardiner , Muslim Aboriginal Elder and Islamic Council of Victoria Board Member gave the Welcome to Country and also spoke about the history of displacement, disenfranchisement, loss of children and why it was important for people to support the Voice.

Dr Shireen Morris then spoke of the legal aspects of the referendum and the reasons for the Multicultural Community to support the Voice. She spoke of how an Indian Migrant in 1907 was able to get the Australian Constitution changed to give coloured migrants a right to vote. If only at that time they had allied themselves with the First Nations people, Australia could have been a better place for all. Every single vote will count and it’s important the message is taken across the country and not just Victoria.

Sheena Watt MP spoke of the importance of walking together with the First Nations people in search of truth and justice. She asked the Multicultural community to help write history by voting Yes at the referendum.

Mohamed Mohideen, Islamic Council of Victoria Vice President in giving the vote of thanks, quoted from the Uluru statement of the Heart: “We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country. Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination”.

He spoke of how The Uluru Statement from the Heart was a gift from the First Nations community to the Australian people and it would unite Ancient Australia with modern Australia. He urged all to vote from the heart and vote #Yes.

We thank our Advocacy Team Member Amna for hosting, and our operations staff for organising the event.