Indonesian Moslems in Australia to Host 1 st Islamic Conference

Melbourne, 20 Dhulhijjah 1437/ 22 September 2016 (MINA) – For the first time, Indonesian Moslems Society of Victoria (IMCV) initiated the Conference of Indonesian Muslims in Australia which will be held on Friday-Sunday, 23- 25 September 2016 held at Bell City Hotel, Melbourne.

With theme “Living in Harmony”, they expected Indonesian Moslem community which are currently scattered in various states of Australia can give contribution to the development of Australian community who have a heterogeneous background in cultural, social, racial and religious.

Chairman of the organizing committee, Neil Siregar said the Australian community who come from various European, Middle East, Africa, China, India and southeast Asia countries would be a challenge in the world of dakwah for the Moslems of Indonesia.

IMCV invites all Indonesian Muslims in various parts of Australia and New Zealand to sit together to discuss its role for the development of Australian society.

The speaker of the conference are Australian Muslim leaders such as Dr. Zacharia Matthews who will present “Muslim identity in the West, Building Ummah, Building Society”, Brother Abdushahhed Drew will deliver “Islam in Australia” and Sheikh Mustapha Sarakibi with topic “Living in Harmony”.

The event was also will be attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Najib Riphat Kesoema, famous Indonesian cleric K.H Erick Yusuf and several prominent Indonesian Muslim community representatives from various state capitals such as Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart (Tasmania).

Minister of Multicultural affairs of the state of Victoria, Mr. Hon. Robin Scot will also give a welcoming speech in the conference.

The main agenda to be discussed at the conference is to empower youth, women’s participation in the development of the Muslim ummah and the possibility of establishment of an institution that embodies all Muslims in Australia.

Indonesia and Australia is a neighboring country, but it has a lot of cultural and social differences in its society. Of course the both will need each other to the sustainability of life of its citizens.

The conference had the full support of some institutions which became the main sponsor such Dompet Dhuafa, Garuda Indonesia, Bank Syariah Mandiri, Khalifa Tour and Travel, Australian Indonesian Association of Victoria (AIA), Hejaz Financial Services, Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), and Islamic Museum of Australia. (R03/)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)