Memorabilia on I.A.W.S.S. (earlier adopted as Islamic Association of Parramatta) historical events and experiences
Introduction:
The year 1978 is of great significance as this was the year when my family and I migrated to Australia. Such a decision to re-locate in Australia was made in order to work hard in high potential industries. And also to serve different cultures in multi-dimensional ways in Australia. By the grace of Allah (s.w.t.), my three children and grandchildren are born and have settled in the suburbs of Sydney, making Australia as our home. The 35 years that we have lived over here is no different to those families who have moved to a new far-distance state from their countries. We have found peace and happiness and a purpose of serving people in the best manner in Australia. Over the years, there was a desire within ourselves to help the people in-need and to start reaping benefits by sharing and passing on the happiness to others.
Background:
We come from a background of an average family which originated in the sub-continent. Looking back at our journey, by the blessings of the lord, we are thankful for the help and support we have received over the years. This support and help was the core reason which led us to initiate a noble cause as the Islamic Association of Western Sydney Suburbs. We were truly amazed by the help and support that we received from people of different cultural backgrounds. The handful of devoted associates were the main driving force who motivated us and had become the very source of encouragement in achieving our goals in a couple of years, which seemed to a mission impossible. We will never forget them in our life span of sanity and their hard work, which was blended with sincerity, honesty, and sacrifices, which went beyond our expectations.
The challenges that we have overcome to develop such as association has made us patient, tolerant and thankful people. Islam is not just a religion or a faith, it is a culture that addresses every aspect of life forms. It also emphasizes the importance of respecting others as Allah (s.w.t.) is the one who has created each and every one equally. Nothing is hidden from Allah (s.w.t.) as he is all-knowing and the most merciful of all.
We have lived for most of our lives in Australia and have loved our decision to migrate to Australia in our early years. We have never thought of re-locating to another country since moving to Australia. The main intention of this memorabilia is to encourage others to be helpful to everyone and to help in establishing the centre in order to practice their faith and educate themselves and the upcoming generation in Australia.
Events:
Idea and need for a Muslim Association
In 1980, the Muslim population in Australia was relatively low when compared to present years. Few of my family friends were located in Sydney and Wollongong. We came up with the idea of forming two cricket teams and having friendly matches occasionally. When deciding upon the rules of the teams and matches, we decided that each team must have spouses with two ground empires (these two ground empires were selected on the basis of their age). Therefore, the team members of both teams had chosen Dr. Qazi Ashfaq Ahmed and Br. Mohammed Khawja Habibullah as the match umpires. Whereas Dr. Syed Badar Qadri and Br. Riaz Malik were selected as captains for the Sydney and Wollongong teams, respectively. Br. Muhammad Shakoor, who had declined to play due to a certain wrist disability, was selected as the manager responsible for organising the events.
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After one of the matches, our empire, Br. Habibullah, suggested that for the sake of current generation and the next generation of Muslims, we must conduct regular gatherings to learn and implement Islamic teachings. Br. Habibullah volunteered to conduct these classes for the interested families at a rented hall. Since renting community halls was becoming an expensive source of conducting these classes, we had the idea of having a place of our own. We started exploring lands and the procedures to acquire them or to buy a council-approved place of worship. But in order to buy, it required considerable funds, which we were short of. We, then, decided to form an association and extends our membership to the wealthy families of the Muslim community.
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Electing and forming the Association:
I have served as a senior vice-president in the Pakistan association of Australia (Sydney). Gaining valuable experience over there, I was able to express my knowledge and experience to the other members of the association. Many members wanted me to be the president, instead I opted to become a coordinator in order to work with others at all levels regardless of our own profession. I also forwarded the idea of electing eleven executive members for the association, who are to be assigned different roles in a yearly term with mutual consensus. I was more interested in achieving our objectives and goals rather than focusing on which positions are to be allotted. I also suggested that when the association is formed and all the members are elected, it would be appropriate to appoint the first term coordinator position to Br. Ghulam Qutbuddin Siddiqui. However, prior to the formation of the Executive committee, by the model we received it was evident that should the president be absent, then vice president will be in power.
Deciding on the consensus, I still remember that we, the eleven elected executive members of the association, met at Dr. Ghulam Akbar khan’s residence to discuss upon the role of each member and their responsibilities. We decided that we should all agree upon whom to elect as the president and later the members will be appointed by the president. Since Dr. Qadri and I received the same amount of votes, the members wanted both of us to decide among each other. I wanted someone with a bit of financial stability to become the president and so I went over to Dr. Qadri and requested him to become the president and have his own initiative announce enough funds as donations by which we could either build or buy the centre as soon as possible. Dr. Qadri, very humbly, told “Qamar bhai, you have been instrumental and important in initiating such a noble, you deserve to be the president.” While both of us were trying to convince each other, Dr. G.A. Khan came and asked me to be the president. Even though I was willing to make efforts, I did not have enough funds to construct or buy the centre. So eventually, I requested both of them to decide upon who will be the president and the vice-president. In the end, Dr. G.A. Khan accepted to become the president.
On his first term as the president, Dr. G.A. Khan made tremendous efforts in fund raising events, printing stationery, laying out procedures, printing and publishing Al-Islam and looking over few sites for the centre. However, at that time we were not able to buy or construct the centre due to insufficient funds.
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Dr. Qadri became the second president of the association. He was very humble in nature and always used to speak with honesty. He told me that “Qamar bhai, I do not have the experience to operate an association, nor do I know how to compile or print Al-Islam. So if you could help me out here or ask me to cut your backyard grass, I’ll be happy to do the latter.” At the end of Dr. Qadri’s term, we were still not able to gather sufficient funds for the centre.
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The third president of the association was Dr. Fuzlul Huq, who was an associate professor at UTS in chemistry from Bangladesh. He was a hardworking person, who focused on stream-lining the methodology and procedures. In one of the funds raising, he was very disappointed, as he had to present a written appeal to the members and others to donate enough funds or else the association would consider to give its accumulated funds to the Turkish mosque project at Mt’ Druitt. I was told by the association that they did not receive any kind of response to Dr. Huq’s appeal. During Dr. Huq’s term, I had to leave for the United States for my job purposes. Upon returning back from the States, I was asked by Br. Shakoor, Br. Ajaz Khan and Br. Abbas Chelat to become the president of the association for the next term or else witness the association to wind-up.
Due to my family responsibilities with the little children, job duties and the uncertainty of the association, I was reluctant to become the president. But I did not want to see the association to be winded-up due to its failure of reaching its objectives and goals. So upon the request and encouragement by my friends of the Executive committee, I decided to become the president.
Funds and Land location:
On our first meeting with the treasurer, he had informed me that in the bank account of the association there was approximately $9,700. In which, $1,400 was collected through the membership collection and around $1.000 was the interest earned. However, the interest amount could not be used to buy or construct the centre according to the laws in Islam. There were a few points, in our first meeting, we decided that: 1) We should search for a church or land, rather than seeking open donations, which is permissible for Islamic centre. And then vigorously escalate for donation drive. 2) Form groups which consist not more than four members and not less than two members with the association receipt crossing the box for the purpose of collection. 3) Approach door-to-door at homes, businesses and mosques, and also at Eid prayer gatherings. This would be done with area demarcation, so that no two groups would arrive at the same place for donations. 4) Conducts meetings on each weekend, mainly, in order to hand-over cheques or cash to the treasurer, to learn the balances and exchange views and ideas upon on experiences. And also to refine the strategies and to explore the new avenues.
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The association came across the sale of an Egyptian Coptic Church at Riverstone which was on sale. We made an initial deposit of $62,000 and agreed upon 12 weeks of settlement extension over a maximum period of three months. Our collection received a huge boost from the help of Br. Asif Saleem, Br. Shaifqur Rehman Khan. Sheikh Abdul Rahman El-Ohaly (Ambassador of K.S.A.) was kind enough to organize a visit to Rabita Alam-e-Islami at Mecca and Islamic development bank at Jeddah and also for the general secretary Br. Abbas Chelat. Upon travelling to the middle-easy, we were able to collect approximately $5,000 upon our personal efforts and also by the help of Br. Hasan Bajuda.
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Upon returning to Australia, we were informed that the church had withdrawn from the market and refunded our deposit amount. However, this setback did not dampen our hopes. Soon we were able to find land at Rooty hill and a cottage at the corner of Woodstock Avenue, located at Duke Street, which comprised of four blocks lots (25, 26, 27, and 28). Each of the four blocks were approximately 3,180 square metres, whereas the total land was approximately 3.75 acres for an amount of $90,000. On our preliminary enquiry, the Blacktown Council did inform us that the site was suitable for religious purposes or community centre and schools. However, we tried to explain and negotiate the price to the owners, who thought that we were from the other side. We ensured the couple that we were not from the other side and just wanted to make sure to them if they were interested in selling the property. The owners of the land agreed and appointed a real-estate agent to talk to the association. Through the Real-estate agency, we were able to enter into an agreement with the owners and had provided a deposit amount upon the extended finalization terms. However, we would have to lose our deposit amount if we were not capable of finalising it within 6 weeks.
The association deposited $9,000 for the initial payment. The rest of the amount, which was $81,000, was to be paid in a time period of 38 days. At that time, the eleven executive members of the association comprised of Br. Abbas Chelat, Br. Abdul Momen Bhuyian, Br. Abdul Rahman, Br. Aijaz Ahmed, Br. Farooq Chudhary, Dr. Fuzlul Huq (as ex-president), Br. Ghufran Survery, Br. Israrul Huq, Br. Mohammad Shakoor, Dr. Nazeer Ahmad, Br. Shahab Siddiqui and myself (Qamar Khan).
The struggle of collection of funds was always going to difficult. It had become a daily routine for all the members to collect funds. All the members were requested to, that upon collecting the funds, inform the treasurer. Many times, at weekdays, Br. Shakoor used to pick me up from my job and we used to drive out in search for donation. Many people, upon noticing our sincerity, dedication and reasoning, donated in substantial amounts of hundreds or thousands by cheques. We even used to ask at the petrol station. At the commencement of my first term as the president of the association, Dr. Shujah Kirmani donated a $2,500 cheque and humbly asked to not let anyone know about this particular event.
fter all the hassle and end-less work from the members, the association were still short for about $12,500, two days prior to the settlement date. The atmosphere between the members was tense and there was a sense of urgency among ourselves. Finally, through the help of Br. Sallahuddin Ahmed of SBS Radio, the treasurer and I decided to make an appeal on the radio in order to notify more brothers and sisters of the Muslim community. After broadcasting our appeal on the radio, Br. Sallahuddin Ahmed notified us about the interest of Br. Abu Baker Ali Raja (an Australian Muslim, coming from a Mauritius background. Also the operator of Plumpton-petrol station in central coast). Br. Aijaz and Br. Shakoor informed that Br. Abu Baker was willing to donate an amount of $ 2,000, while they also told me that Br. Abu Baker had known another brother in the Muslim community who was willing to lend the rest of the amount (that is $10,500) on the Islamic rules (that is Qaraz-e-Hasna). In the end, by help and work of all the members and the donations made by all the brothers and sisters, we were able to pay the settlement for the land on time.
Principles:
Every meeting that took place between the members, they were notified regarding the importance of providing the information regarding the donations to the secretary and the treasurer. All the members played an important part in collecting the funds, but the part played by Br. Shakoor and Br. Aijaz was of highest level of help and dedication we could ever receive. Through the tremendous efforts and work of Br. Shakoor and Br. Aijaz, the association was able to collect higher amount of funds.
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Accordingly,the members decided to consider few principles upon reaching the goal and to adhere to:
1) Appreciate the efforts of everyone, regardless of the outcome
2) Be tolerant and avoid arguments or annoy anyone
3) Be factual and honest to the cause
4) No place for disappointments if any member was capable of providing few or no donations
5) While collecting the donations, receipt should be provided
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Trustees:
After the settlement of the land, Br. Fahmi Hussain had recommended in the association to form a group of trustees. He suggested that there should be three trustees, all selected through the votes of the members of the association. All the executive members were relieved and showed consent to the idea of selecting trustees. Unanimously, the members of the association selected me (Qamar Khan) as the first trustee of the association. Although, initially I wanted to decline the offer to become a trustee due to family responsibilities and instead suggested to the executive members that the previous three presidents should be considered as the three trustees of the association. However, Dr. Fuzlul Huq was declined the offer upon his experiences of his last term and wanted me to become one of the trustees.
In the yearly term, the rest of the weeks the association was able to pay-off all the Qaraz-e-Hasna and remaining dues. The members also wanted to amend and refine the constitution of the association in order for a better future. We also started to work on the development of the centre and came up with a project which included the following:
Immediate and Interim requirement of Imam: We had asked Br. MK Habibullah to continue leading the prayers in the association centre. However he was unable to do so due to his personal health and family reasons. And also he informed us that he was unable to reside at an area that was not urbanized to the full extent yet. Moving on from there, we had asked Hafiz Ghazali from Pakistan, who used to come during the month of Ramadan for Taraveh in Surry Hill Mosque. He also declined to live in Australia permanently due to family reasons. However, he suggested us that we should approach Hafiz Nazeerul Hasan Thanvi instead. The executive members of the association wanted a local (Pakistani) Imam due to the cultural background of most of the members. Br. Asif Saleem from A.F.I.C. had also supported it in view to the background of Surrey Hill Mosque. And issued a letter on behalf of A.F.I.C. for Hafiz Nazeerul Hasan Thanvi.
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Prayer Area: There was urgent need to have prayer area for at-least 120 people at that time. Under the circumstances, the only possibility was to refurbish the existing Shed of land into an interim praying place. Haji Saffah (a builder and concreter, who used to live in St. Mary’s near Br. Shakoor residence) had helped us replace all the rusted roof and wall panels, helped in installing windows, concreted the floor and painted the walls. Haji Saffah’s volunteer services made a big difference and helped us in dealing with growing Muslim community at that time of need.
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Property Maintenance: The acreage property required regular maintenance. For instance, the grass and shrubs required trimming, installation of security system, rain water drainage, septic tank and pits cleaning, gate and fence repair and replacement, car parking places, developing parking area with the use of blue metal and arranging someone to live and look after the land. All such works had been discussed, managed and carried out between the members of the association.
Fund raising: The association was unable to ask for a loan from the bank due to the Islamic laws regarding the interest rates. So the executive members decided to conduct a fund raising event in order to collect enough amount to deal with the maintenance, repairs and replacements of the centre. Carrying out such an event helped us in engaging more with each other than our own personal and family responsibilities. At those times, we were unsure about how long will this stressful work had to be carried. Hence on the last meeting of my first yearly term as President, I had tendered my resignation. This notice came as a shock and surprise to the members and they were reluctant to let me resign. Instead they wanted me to be the president of the association for at least a year. I had my reasons and explained to the members that I was not able to focus on my personal and family responsibilities. Even though the reasons, the Executive members told me that if I could continue to be the president for at least a year then perhaps, later Br. Aijaz and Br. Shakoor could take over the responsibilities as the president of the association. In the end, I agreed with the members as we were reaching new heights in the Australian Muslim community.
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Securing land at Woodstock Avenue: At the commencement of the second yearly term, we were approached by the local real estate for the sale of an adjacent block Lot 29 for the amount of $35,000. We inspected the land and wanted to purchase it. However, we did not have any funds to buy, so we made a reluctant offer of $23,000 in anticipation that the agent might outright decline it. Astonishingly, the agent told us he would be willing to call the property owner. The agent informed us that provided that the owner agree to our offer, we would have to a pay non-refundable initial deposit of $311.50 on the same day. Accordingly we made a deal with him. The agent somehow had convinced the lady owner, Betty Adams, to accept our offer as there had been no other offers received. After the initial payment, we were thinking about ways on how to pay the rest of the amount in time. Later I addressed the association regarding the new acquisition of a new place. This time around, since having a centre of our own, the association decided that it will be a bit easier to increase funds. With the Bankcard, we drew the amount plus $11.50 cash we had on us and on 19th June 1987 we had paid the 10% deposit and signed the contract. Alhamdulillah with the combined fund raising efforts as well as the help of Ambassador K.S.A. we were able to exchange the contract on time. Later Br. Mohammad Tariq of Oriental Garments had donated $50,000 cash for the mosque project.
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Arrival of the Imam: On arrival of the Imam from Pakistan there was a happiness and sense of relief among community in general. I remembered Br. Shakoor was very excited and received in person with Hafiz Nazeerul Hasan Thanvi. However, in all the excitement, I was still concerned regarding the salary of the Imam. Through the A.F.I.C. Imam funds, we were able to pay half of the Imam’s salary but the other half had still to be dealt with. I did not want to pay the Imam through the association funds which would have burdened the association more (as the association was looking after the development plans for the centre). In the end, I called up Br. Shafiqur Rehman Khan who had promised and asked me to provide details of the Imam so that he could talk to Darul Ifta in K.S.A. for the Imam fund. Br. Asif Saleem had also mentioned that he could register the Imam for Marriage celebrant, so that he could earn some amount by charging the specified fee, in case he was required to perform Nikkah. With the help of Allah (s.w.t.) and all our friends we were able to face one challenge to another successfully.
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Members of other Islamic or Religious Associations/Societies/Trusts: In line with the objectives of I.A.W.S.S. and in view to the history of other organisations which struggled in maintaining their cultural identities, it was noticed by the majority of the members of I.A.W.S.S.:
1) Would always support other Islamic Associations for Islamic causes in many ways within the framework of the Australian laws. 2) Also to minimize the conflict of interests, the full membership would be granted by the Executive Committee to those who did not concurrently hold the membership of any other Associations. In addition, the rule would also be applied to the persons who were either on I.A.W.S.S. payroll or had offered paid services to the Association.
Preventing the dispute or fragmentation within I.A.W.S.S.: Although annual Election was called upon for the Executive Committee, all efforts were made for the Executive members and office holders to get elected unanimously. Therefore when I completed the second annual term from 1987 – 1988 as the President of the association, the Executive Committee had asked on my request to Br. Aijaz Ahmed to accept the Presidents’ role for the coming term. Br. Aijaz declined initially on account that he could not handle all the work single-handedly, insisting me to become the general secretary for the coming term. After Br. Aijaz had completed his annual term during 1988-1989, Br. Shakoor was requested to become the President for the following term. But Br. Shakoor, initially declining the offer, requested me to become Chairman of Trustee, so that I could help him with his presidential works.
Hence in all the four annual terms during 1986 –1990, all the three of us were working together in order to achieve the associations’ objectives and goals. And achieved a great deal of progress without disputes or conflicts. Similarly for extending the number of I.A.W.S.S. Trustees, if the number of persons that were interested were more than the available posts in the committee then they were elected by conducting elections among the present executive members. Hence there were no panels or groups made until 1990. Similarly for any other disputes, the Executive Committee would look into the matter rationally and sympathetically in accordance to the Constitution and resolved it with the satisfaction of the person who lodged the complaint.
Affiliation and harmonious relationship to other Umbrella organisations and societies: We made efforts to maintain cordial relation/membership with:
Islamic Council of NSW
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
All member State Councils and Societies
Non-affiliated societies
Diplomatic mission of K.S.A.
Imam Mufti of Australia
Rabita Alam-e-Islami, Mecca, K.S.A.
Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah K.S.A.
Extending the number of trustees to six: Apart from existing 3 trustees another, three more following trustees got elected based on acquiring highest votes:
Dr. Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad
Dr. Sultan Siddiqi
Br. Naimul Wakeel.
Acknowledgements and Recommendations:
The biggest acknowledgement in my whole life would go to Allah (s.w.t.). Without the help of the almighty, we would have never been able to take all the huge steps and succeeded in this manner.
I strongly recommend that it may not still be too late to recognize in some ways the services of following persons who are no longer with us but played a very supportive and a vital role for the I.A.W.S.S. cause:
Murhoom Br. Abdul Shakoor;
Murhoom Br. Muhammad Khawja Habibullah;
Murhoom Dr. Syed Badar Qadri;
Murhoom Br. Masood Alam Khan;
Murhoom Dr. Azeem Zaigham;
Murhoom Br. Abdul Rahman.
I do also want to mention the following people who helped and deserve to be honored for their guidance, crucial help and the protection they had rendered to I.A.W.S.S.:
H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rahman El-Ohaly – Ambassador K.S.A.
Br. Shafiqur Rahman Khan
Br. Asif Saleem Ex. Administrator AFIC
Abbreviations and Keys:
I.A.W.S.S.: Islamic Association Western Suburbs Sydney
K.S.A.: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Br.: Brother
HE: His Excellency
S.w.t.: Subhana wu Tala (Arabic)
Saheb: Respectful (Urdu)
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Disclaimer: On request by the General Secretary of I.A.W.S.S., this memorabilia has been voluntarily generated for the first time after 30 years. The memorabilia was carried out based on primarily re-collections, date on photos, documents and was also reviewed by the Treasurer of I.A.W.S.S. approving the listed events. I.A.W.S.S. and the author of this memorabilia are indemnified for any claims or litigations should any information be non-authentic.
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