He further stated, fasting in the month of Ramadan purely for the  sake of God  is an act of commitment and self control and this is a very positive message and is one that  we should emulate during the rest of the year.

Mr Patel added, the challenges of the past month, so admirably overcome by our Muslim brothers and sisters here and all over the world, should imbue in all of us greater faith in and commitment to our family, community and country.

Mr Patel continued, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and  is a time for deep reflection, renewal of pledges and an opportunity to cultivate faith. This day should  be a new beginning in the spiritual, cultural and moral life of Muslims after the lessons acquired during the month of fasting.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a day of victory for Muslims, having fulfilled their duties in many unique ways during the Holy Month of Ramadan. As we celebrate with our families and loved ones let us take a moment to reflect on the sad plight of millions of Muslims who have spent this Ramadan and now Eid-ul Fitr homeless, anxious and desperate. Let us pray for our all of humanity who are in any way afflicted with sorrow on this day. May All Mighty God ease their pain and open the doors of mercy for their speedy relief.

Mr Patel expressed great hope of peace and reconciliation now that the Middle East Peace talks have resumed.

For further information, please contact:

MR.  IKEBAL PATEL  -  AFIC PRESIDENT – 0409 775 102.

Mr Patel said this achievement is the result of much community effort and unwavering support, cooperation and generosity of the ACT government. Mr Patel  also expressed gratitude to the ACT Chief Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope MLA for his foresight and vision when it comes to  providing  education and educational facilities for all Canberrans.

After five years of endurance by the parents, staff and children of confined spaces in the former location, the new school site provides an appropriate learning environment for modern times in the nation’s capital.

Mr Patel extends an invitation to parents who wish to share in this opportunity to provide children with quality education provided by highly skilled educators in a friendly, Islamic environment to contact the school.

For further information, please contact:

MR.  IKEBAL PATEL  -  AFIC PRESIDENT – 0409 775 102.

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Mr Patel had earlier urged Prime Minister Gillard not to follow the opposition’s policies on asylum-seekers which have been harsh and inhumane as those involved had been through a lot in their own countries.

Mr Patel said that this policy did not work in the past and will not work now or in the future. “Australia cannot afford to have such policies and will be judged very harshly by the international community. These refugees are fleeing from political and religious persecution, torture and repressive regimes, escaping from conflict and war and searching for a better life,” pleaded Mr Patel.

Mr Patel appealed to the Gillard Government not to be swayed by political considerations alone and to recognise that the asylum-seekers are not illegal immigrants and had not broken any laws by entering Australian waters and that they have a legal right to have their claims for refugee status assessed by appropriate authorities in Australia rather than overseas.

“Please do not sell asylum-seekers, many of whom are genuine refugees to score political points,” pleaded Mr Patel.

For further information, please contact:

MR. IKEBAL PATEL

AFIC PRESIDENT Tel: 0409 775 102.

 

Mr Ikebal Patel,  President of Muslims Australia – AFIC expressed disappointment with  the NSW Parliament in  allowing  the Christian Democratic Party MP Rev Fred Nile  to succeed  in introducing a bill to ban the wearing of the burqa in the NSW Upper House on Tuesday 22 June.

Mr Patel said, “We recognise Fred Nile’s right to freedom of speech and expression. However,  “ban the burqa” legislation does not afford the same freedom of expression to one of NSW’s most marginalised communities”.

Mr Patel stated, Australian Muslims are disappointed by NSW government’s lack of support for  human  rights of residents of NSW.  This is an important test  for  the Labour Government , given State elections are imminent and the “burqa ban” is sure to be one of the  “hottest”, emotive and divisive  election issues.”

Mr Patel further stated,  “Our members and the wider Muslim communities in NSW  certainly see this dangerous, apartheid style, intolerant measure as an  important denial of the legitimate rights of Muslim women and their freedom to  choose their dress code. Voters will definitely choose
the Greens and Family First candidates, who value basic human rights and promote tolerance as alternatives to the current divisive stance”

For further information, please contact:

MR.  IKEBAL PATEL  -  AFIC PRESIDENT -      0409 775 102  0409 775 102 .

Mr Patel said,  “ At the Islamic School of Canberra we aim to provide our children the highest quality education within an Australian curriculum and we certainly expect to  see valued Australian citizens contributing positively and putting back into this beautiful land  -  an  enduring legacy”.

The outstanding results of the very first NAPLAN tests for the Islamic School of Canberra in 2009 is a testimony to the level of education provided at the school, added Mr Patel. All Canberran’s are welcome to send their children to the Islamic School of Canberra.

For further information, please contact:

MR.  IKEBAL PATEL  -  AFIC PRESIDENT –  0409 775 102  0409 775 102 .

        CHAIRMAN – MALEK FAHD ISLAMIC SCHOOL