ICV 2017-2018 Annaul Report.Cdr
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ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 The ICV wishes to express our sincere appreciation to a host of organisations we have worked with and have supported the ICV in various capacities throughout the 2017-18 year. Our special gratitude is particularly extended to many sincere friends who have been incredibly supportive, whose personal and professional advice, mentoring and expertise has made huge differences. OUR VALUED PARTNERS ACU - Australian Catholic University JCCV - Jewish Communities Council of Victoria AFIC - Australian Federation of Islamic Councils JCMA - Jewish Christian Muslim Association AFL - Australian Football League Jesuit Refugee Service Australia AFP - Australian Federal Police Justice Connect Al Wasat Newspaper La Trobe University AMES - Adult Migrant Education Services Leadership Victoria AMF - Australian Multicultural Foundation MAG - Multifaith Advisory Group Anglican Church Maurice Blackburn ANIC - Australian National Imams Council MCCA - Muslim Community Co-operative Australia ANU - Australian National University MPA - Muslim Professionals Association Australia Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program Muslim Aid Australia Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights Muslim Legal Network Australian Religious Response to Climate Change MYAF - Muslim Youth, Adult and Family Benevolence Australia NCEIS - National Centre for Excellence in Islamic Studies Blended Learning Group NZF - National Zakat Foundation BOIV - Board of Imams Victoria OMAC - Office of Multiculturalism and Citizenship Bubup Wilam Centre for Early Learning OTA - Organ Tissue Authority (Donate Life) CCN - Community Care Network Pax Christi CCYP - Commission for Children & Young People Red Cross Centre for Islamic Thought and Education (UniSa) Red Cross Blood Service City of Melbourne RISEAP - MUIS: Islamic Council of Singapore CMY - Centre of Multicultural Youth RMIT University - Chaplaincy, Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Community Correction Services RMIT University - School of Global, Urban and Social Studies Corrections Victoria Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation Cricket Victoria SABPI - Somali Australian Business and Professionals Deakin Uni Alfred Deakin Ins. for Citizenship & Globalisation Salamfest Democracy in Colour SBS TV DFAT - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade SHV - Spiritual Health Victoria DHHS - Department of Health & Human Services Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria DHS – Department of Human Services Sisters of Mercy Diyanet - Turkish Ministry of Religious Affairs SMCT - Southern Metropolitan Cemetery Trust DSS - Department of Social Services State Library of Victoria ECCV - Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria Table Tennis Victoria Ecumenical Interfaith Commission (Catholic Archdiocese) Uniting Church Faith Leaders Group - Prison Chaplaincy VCC - Victorian Council of Churches FCCV - Faith Communities Council of Victoria VEC - Victorian Electoral Commission First Nations Congress VEOHRC - Vic Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Comm. Gatehouse Centre for the Assessment & Treatment of Child Abuse Vic University - Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing GMCT – General Metropolitan Cemetery Trust Victoria Police Good Shepherd Microfinance Victoria University - Sir Zelman Cowen Centre HAI - Human Appeal Australia VMC - Victorian Multicultural Commission Home Affairs Ministry / Immigration Department Voices against Bigotry IMA - Islamic Museum of Australia West Metro Community Justice Initiatives of Change YACVIC - Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Interfaith Centre of Melbourne YMCA Islamic Relief Australia Youth Justice 2 ABOUT THE ICV Vision The Islamic Council of Victoria strives 'to foster and enable a vibrant Islamic community where Muslims enrich society through the values of Islam'. The ICV is the peak Muslim body in the state of Victoria are incorporated into our programs and policy focus representing an estimated 200,000 Muslims via 65 areas. member societies representing over 70 diverse ethnic communities. ICV offers both advocacy and social welfare The ICV is in a unique position, firmly in touch with the services while leading state and national initiatives on grassroots through its member societies and other social cohesion through community consultation and community organisations, and at the same time able to advice to all forms of lead agencies. engage with government (at all levels) media, civil society groups, faith bodies, and other stakeholder groups. ICV aims to represent the interests and concerns of the community and is experienced in developing meaningful Key ICV focus areas can be summarised as: engagements, building strategic partnerships and aligning the delivery of our services to the Victorian 1. Advocacy and Public Relations Muslim communities. 2. Community Engagement 3. Political Engagement ICV's vision and purpose is built on the foundation of a 4. Research and Policy common humanity transcending differences and its role 5. Combatting Islamophobia as a community sector leader. Its commitment to creating 6. Social Welfare and Inclusion Programs a strong sense of belonging has led to an increasing 7. Youth Leadership and Capacity Building respect for shared beliefs and values resulting in deeper Programs connections within diverse communities. 8. Women's Empowerment 9. Interfaith and Multicultural Relations The ICV operates on two key platforms: 10. City Mosque Services 1) Advocacy: on matters of interest and concern to Muslims through advocacy, consultation and cooperation The ICV's sustained efforts significantly contribute to the with governments, other peak bodies, faith communities, strengthening of social bonds between and amongst the service providers, the media and the general public; and numerous diverse communities making up modern-day Australia which in turn builds a more respectful, cohesive 2) Social Welfare Services: we run over a dozen and resilient society. community programs, helping improve the welfare of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups within the Muslim Our Member communities are at the centre of what we community. do. What we learn from them helps us develop stronger communities, support other service providers and lead The ICV's core objective is to faithfully represent and positive change at local, state and national levels. advocate for the Victorian Muslim community and by doing so, promote harmony, respect and understanding The ICV aims to support all Victorian Muslims to have a between all elements of society, thereby ensuring that the strong sense of belonging, through strong relationships integrity of each person's beliefs, cultures and traditions w i t h key s t a ke h o l d e r s l e a d i n g t o i n c re a s e d are respected. Our commitment to active engagement understandings and respect for all. As Muslims we strive and consultative processes has led to a deep for harmonious living as we celebrate our diversity and understanding of stakeholder needs and priorities which build the bonds of humanity. Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the ancestors, Elders and families of the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung tribes of the Kulin Nation, as the traditional owners and custodians of the land. Recognition of the First Peoples The ICV recognises the unique place the First Peoples hold in Australia's history and future and we are fully committed to advocating for their rights and working with their leaders in fostering better understandings and relationships. 3 ICV LEADERSHIP TEAM The Executive Committee (Board) is made up of a total of 9 members (6 elected and 3 appointed) with two year terms who are engaged in representation, advocacy, strategic planning and capacity building. The present committee was elected in October 2016. The Board member are voluntary and responsible for the governance of ICV. In consultation with the ICV's constituent members and numerous external bodies, it determines the broad policies and strategic directions of the ICV. Mohamed Mohideen Adel Salman Anam Javed President Vice-President Secretary Ramzi Elsayed Nazeh Baarini Abdiaziz Farah Treasurer Executive Member Executive Member Ruqaya Almirgani Pudak Nayati Nada Kalam Executive Member Executive Member Executive Member 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT relationship with the First Nations contribution and may Allah (swt) People is one of mutual respect and shower his blessings and mercy on understanding. Thus, Muslims living in him and his family. Australia have a right as any other citizen irrespective of our faith, colour Two years has gone by since this board or ethnicity. was elected. One thing that stands out is the unity that the board has always The ICV's focus has been on our shown. We might have our differences member societies, youth and the like any family, but we have been able wider community. To this extent we to discuss and come out stronger. We have reached out and consulted with take this opportunity to thank all our members and the community and executive members for their support Assalamu Alaikum Warahmathullahi listened to their concerns on how best and cooperation. The board is a Barakath, we can collectively move forward. working board and is unique in many ways. Being on the board requires a Australia is home to over 600,000 Emphasis has been placed on lot of sacrifice and patience and it can Muslims. We are a relatively young community, youth programs and take its toll. The personal sacrifices community (67% below 35 years) with women issues. We have also come up some of them have made (balancing issues like any other community. We with strategic policies