P AKISTANIS IN A USTRALIA PAWA NEWS

A
5TH AUGUST 2012
Dr. Zarrin S Siddiqui, 46 Kanangra Crs. Greenwood, WA 6024, Australia Ph: 0434841705, Email: pakistanis.in.australia@gmail.com

NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 16

THE VERDICT Obaid Fayyaz, the Pakistani cadet at Australian Defence Force Academy was earlier accused of an act of indecency. It is finally a relief that he has been acquitted of any such accusation. A statement from Mr. Fayyaz reads It is a big relief for me to come out of this allegation as innocent. For that I must appreciate the Australian judicial system, justice has been done. I must thank my family, my fiance, my lawyers and all those who supported me and guided me through the toughest ordeal of my life. However, now that I have come out of this as innocent, I trust the media and the Australian Government will help me rebuild and compensate for the loss I have suffered. SBS URDU SERVICE The SBS Urdu Program on29th July portrayed young Pakistanis who have been working betterment of the society. Maryam Khan from WA was one of the young ones interviewed by Yasmin Syed. Maryam is part of the team behind Halal food bank in Perth as part of Muslim Youth of Western Australia. The recording of the program as well as detailed interview of Maryam can be accessed through www.sbs.com.au/urdu. INDEPENDENCE DAY IFTAR AT UWA, HACKET HALL
Pakistanis around the world are now getting ready to celebrate Independence Day on 14thAugust. Please join us for Iftar and Maghrib prayers on 14th August at 4.45 pm.

2ND COLLECTION OF URDU BOOKS We have now organised second collection of Urdu books (around 20) at one of the correction services in WA for the women from South East Asian background and it is a pleasure to inform that we have the third collection now ready to be started at another local library so any suggestions are welcome. Our first collection is available at Nedlands library. And if you have books in URDU lying in shelves why not share them with others. Happy to organise a pick up.

COMMENTS
In our last issue I requested your feedback on the idea if we should get this group incorporated and have received 19 comments regarding this move. All the comments are included on page 6 of the current issue.

IFTAR DINNER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

The Parliament house will be the host for Iftar dinner on 13th August. The Muslim community leaders have been invited to attend the dinner.

AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR NOMINATION

The nominations close on 31st August and preparation is underway for the nomination. I am waiting for the referees to give their consent as part of submission process so will disclose the name in next issue.

UPDATE ON CAPSIZED BOAT

DIAC policy is that no bodies will be repatriated outside of Perth. The department will administer and fund funerals at the Islamic Cemetery in Baldivis where the body is not claimed by the next of kin (i.e. there is no identifiable next of kin or the family refuse to claim the body). DIAC uses an islamic funeral director who has both shia and sunni religious practitioners to conduct a proper burial service. If families or friends wish to claim the bodies, then all costs are their responsibility. This means that in reality it is Pakistani government who should take the responsibility but there is no update from the Pakistani officials on this matter and we do not know if Pakistan has got any policy?

EID DINNERS
As Eid ul Fitr gets closer PACS in Perth is ready to celebrate Eid in Style on 25th August with a formal dinner and surprises while MYWA will be hosting Eid dinner on 26th August. This year MYWAs Eid dinner will conclude their Ramadan long charity drive to raise funds for Mahbobas Promise, an Australian based charity working for the welfare of orphans in Afghanistan. Please support these initiatives.
STUDENT ACCOMODATION We have been able to arrange accommodation for five students this semester and will request if anyone has a bed for share specially for a week till an accommodation is sorted out to let us know because students do not have a valid reference when they arrive to commence studies and short term stays are quite expensive. Additionally students cannot apply online before coming to Australia for any accommodation as they need to visit and view the place as part of the legal process or someone else has to do this on their behalf which is pretty difficult. CONDOLENCE Our condolence to Ch. Asif Iqbal whose father passed away in Pakistan last week. Ch. Asif is the treasurer of PAFA and is in Pakistan at the moment. May the family has the courage to bear the loss.
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 also acknowledge that this newsletter is disseminated from Noongar land. Feel free to contribute any news that may be of interest to community or to disseminate it among your networks. The earlier issues can be accessed through our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/groups/pakistanisinaustralia

FREE WORKSHOPS

DANCE FOR LIFE!

- If you ever wondered what the fuss is all about with energetic thrill loving Swing dancers, this is THE night to find out!
Venue: Date: Time: North Perth Town Hall Saturday 15th of September 8-9pm FREE Swing dance class (worth $15) 9-11.30 Social dancing with delicious catering & surprises! Cost: $15 (cash, at the door). We are making the entry price very affordable, but please bring your loose change for some extra fundraising fun and games on the night. For your entry fee of only $15 you receive: A FREE introductory Swing dance class. Please RSVP to ajohansson@waimr.uwa.edu.au to participate in the class or for up to date information regarding the event, please join the event on facebook. A generous smorgasbord of delicious platters from catering companies kindly supporting the event (gluten free available) Cakes & biscuits from the Cheesecake Shop and local patisseries to indulge in! (gluten free available) Hours of social dancing to Perths fabulous DJs Door prizes such as a double pass (2 people) for 4 Swing dance lessons (worth $120), single class vouchers, wine bottles etc. For my part, I feel very fortunate to be of good health so that I can attend this dance. Not everyone is, and tragically cancer is very common across all ages 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime - with harsh treatments and with various prognoses. All the proceeds from this dance will be donated to ongoing cancer research conducted at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research here in Perth, Anna Johansson, event organiser.

So put on your dance shoes, prepare yourself for an enjoyable evening filled with exiting surprises and come and support this event to help those who cannot.

OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Project and Policy Officer, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Fixed term, full time. www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au Application closes on 15th August 2012. Vacancy Reference Number 912841

COMMENTS REF: INCORPORATION OF THE GROUP

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Great work I support your initiative I am with you but please do not involve anyone who does not have a Pakistani passport, these people destroyed XXXX. IT is OK but how will you prevent XXXXXXXXXXXXX entering from PIA. I am already impressed by the work you are doing. Keep it up and good luck. I personally do not feel the need for another organisation but keeping in view legal implications I think it is good. I am for it but would like to see the objectives of this group. Get the ladies involved they need a forum which no one is providing. Do not restrict it to migrants involve international students. IF you really require a registration then by all means but otherwise I will suggest you stay away. Go for it. You have the support and respect. I am fine with a new organisation because this will raise the competition bar for others to do some good work as well. With a fulltime job you may struggle but if you have gone this far why not. I use this group before coming to Sydney and was amazed by the support from members will join it for sure. If you really want to work come XXXX cannot stop you and you have strong backing from people who want to work for the community. Much appreciated all the hard work and prompt responses from the group. Why not join XXX. If you can keep a good team in harmony it will be easy but if there are too many champions, the purpose may be diluted. Break the monotony of one group. I have always supported the group and will do that. If you think you can compete with XXXX forget it and do not even thinking of going federal, it is always a failure. Unless you have a hidden agenda why get it incorporated? Will not recommend

FINALLY A VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL OF YOU. MAY PAKISTAN GROW STRONGER AND PEOPLE SELECT THE BEST TO LEAD THEIR COUNTRY IN FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS. 6