Volume 3

Issue 06

Pakistanis in Australia Inc.

A fortnightly newsletter of the community, for the community and by the community

18th March 2013

Contents:
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Page 7 From the desk Community updates News Pakistan Day Event Shaken: Dance Drama

FROM THE DESK

This Saturday we celebrate Pakistan Day and hopefully by that time a caretaker government will also take charge to conduct elections for national and provincial parliaments in Pakistan. You would have already read that at least 24 Pakistan army personnel were killed and five others were injured when a Gilgit bound passenger coach plunged into the Indus River in Kohistan on Saturday morning. The incident happened at Summer Nula when the speeding driver of the coach negotiated a sharp turn and lost control of the vehicle which then fell into a deep ravine. Since you received our last newsletters the massacre in Abbas Town, Karachi and Badami Bagh in Lahore have also caused a major blow to Shia and Christian community in Pakistan and we share the grief that the families have to go through. Under these circumstances to celebrate Pakistan day with music and fun filled activities does not feel a viable option at this time. However on 13th April we are collaborating with other organisations to screen a documentary Crossing the line. There is an increase in Pakistani community members with more and more families coming from Hazara and they need our support in finding employment and assist with education and perhaps just moral support. If you can help in any way please drop us a line. Finally we welcome the appointment of first community welfare attach Mr. Sardar Balkh Sheikh Khosa in Sydney Consulate.

Office bearers
President: Dr. Zarrin Siddiqui Secretary: Ms. Fatima Khushnud piasecretary@hotmail.com Treasurer: Ms. Maria Farooq piatreasurer@hotmail.com

Website
http://pakistanisinaustrali.wix.com/piainc#

Twitter:
@PIAInc

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/pakistanisinaustralia.

46 Kanangra Crescent, Greenwood WA 6024. Ph. 0434841705, pakistanis.in.australia@gmail.com

Vol. 3: Issue 06

COMMUNITY UPDATES
WORLD MODEL UNITED NATIONS IN MELBOURNE
The World MUN starts today in Melbourne and is one of the most prestigious event for University Students. We welcome Pakistani students from Lahore University of Management Sciences, SZABIST and Lahore School of Economics. Pakistani students always perform their best and outshine other participants so good luck to them. Our member Rida Ahmed is the head delegate for the group from University of Western Australian and will also be contributing as the chair of the committee on Urban Cities and Local Governance.

TEACHER ASSISTANT COURSE FOR COMMUNITY: FREMANTLE

The Fremantle Education Centre is offering an opportunity to study to become a teacher assistant. The Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher Assistant) presented by the Fremantle Education Centre will run in Fremantle and Mandurah starting on 25 March 2013 from 9.30am to 2.30pm. The course is funded by the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development, fees are subsidised and places are limited. The face to face part of the course is held over 20 weeks, with students required to attend class on a Monday. During this period the students must also complete 6 weeks practicum in a school of their choice (we will assist in this). There is no class on public holidays or school holidays. To find out more contact the Fremantle Education Centre, corner of Cantonment and Parry Streets, Fremantle, by phone: 9335 5444 or email: succeed@fec.org.au

ECCWA CONSULTATION FOR COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATION WITH FEDERATION OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA
A consultation to discuss the need for all Australians to be able to access government programs and services equitably, regardless of cultural, linguistic or religious background will be held on 25 March 2013.This consultation is an opportunity to share experiences you may have had when accessing government services through department such as Centrelink, Job Services Australia, Medicare and other agencies. Specific discussion areas will include employment, health, education and training and family and child services. If you wish to attend please let us know ASAP.

COMMUNITY UPDATES contd.

PAKISTAN DAY FLAG HOISTING AT THE HIGH COMMISSION FOR PAKISTAN IN CANBERRA

NEWS OF A NEW MOSQUE IN TUGGERANONG After more than a decade of planning, a new mosque will finally be built in Tuggeranong to complete the Canberra Islamic Centre. The executive committee is excited to be progressing works that have been envisioned since the community hall opened more than a decade ago. The development application has now been lodged with the ACT Planning and Land Authority. The centre, on Clive Steele Avenue in Monash, is also home to more than 30,000 books, including Korans more than 200 years old, as part of the library. As part of the extension there will be dedicated reading spaces and storage of many of these books, thousands of which are still in boxes, a shipping container, and members homes due to lack of space. Ms Khan said the extra room that the two-level facility would provide would also enable the committee to hire out the hall for more community events. Each week the Canberra Islamic Centre has about 150 children and parents attend classes, between 50 to 70 people visit to pray each day and about 300 take part in the main congregational prayer session on Fridays. At special religious events, like the breaking of fast at Ramadan, the centre could host up to 750 people. Project designer Shamsul Huda said the new worship area would not attract more people to the centre from other places of worship in Canberra but would meet the demand in the south. The growth that is going to happen is just a natural growth, over time the numbers of Muslims are growing so its more that we just get our share of people living on the southside, he said. Public submissions on the application close Thursday, March 21. Source: Meredith Clisby | The Canberra Times | March 7, 2013 COURTESY OZIFORUM

Vol. 3: Issue 06

COMMUNITY UPDATES contd.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES: 19th MARCH 1200 1.00 pm

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:00 Alexander Lecture Theatre (G57) Arts Muslims, Democracy and the 21st Century by Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Javed Ahmad Ghamidi is an internationally renowned scholar of Islam who has contributed to debates on the role of Islam in Muslim societies. SCRIPTURE TEACHERS REQUIRED IN NSW The Islamic Special Religious Education (ISRE) known as the scripture program needs your help. Over 20,000 Muslim students are taught through this program at over 300 public schools in NSW with more than 900 sessions weekly.To run such huge program, more than 400 Volunteers are needed. They are still down in some areas and really need some attention with regards to gaining more teachers. Scripture session runs for only half an hour. If you have the time and ability then please get in touch with: Sister Rouba Kodr, Office Manager - Islamic Scripture Program (ISRE) at: rouba@isre.org.au

Vol. 3: Issue 06

EVENTS

Vol. 3: Issue 06

Vol. 3: Issue 06

Vol. 3: Issue 06

SHAKEN: A DANCE DRAMA Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) can have serious consequences for all affected by it; whether it be road trauma, war, or an act of nature like a bush fire or a tsunami it has far reaching consequences. Shakena unique dance drama tells the story of three survivors impacted by the aforementioned events. It will not only shake you but also give you an insight into what PTSD is all about and how to deal with it. As you are aware many of the refugees and humanitarian entrants who have settled in Australia have experienced torture and trauma and we believe that the opportunity to view this would have a cathartic impact and we are seeking your support to raise funds to enable some of them to attend cost free.

This is a fortnightly newsletter to keep community informed of whats happening in Pakistan and in Australia with a special focus on Western Australia at this time. We acknowledge that this newsletter is disseminated from Noongar land. The earlier issues can be accessed through our website or through the group Facebook page.