English Articles Archives - Page 3 of 11

Miss Lebanon Australia 2016 Mary Mehajer

on May 5, 2016

By Marcelle Mansour

This year has marked the celebration of the sixteenth Anniversary of the Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant, held on the 1^st of May 2016, at the Dalton House Pyrmont, in the presence of The Hon John Ajaka MLC on behalf of the NSW Government, distinguished guests from the Australian Arabic Communities, Media Representatives, majour sponsors, families, friends and many other supporters.

Mary (Mariam) Mehajer (18 years) was crowned Miss Australia Lebanon 2016, one of former deputy mayor, Salim Mehajer’s sisters. Miss Mary Hakim (aged 22) came in as first runner-up and Miss Jessica Nercessian (aged 21) as second.

The nine Contestants were presented with gifts by the event sponsors and were awarded titles as follows: Jessica Francis (20) as Miss photogenic, Mary Hakim (22) Miss Elegance, Jessica Lahoud (18) Miss Style, Priscilla Rached (22) Miss Model, Rebecca Noun (23) Miss Personality, Rose Boustany (19) Miss Natural, Jessica Nercessian (21) Miss Swimwear, Safaa Ammoun (23) Miss Confidence, Mary Mehajer (18) Miss Congeniality.

The ceremony began with the Australian and Lebanese anthem, and both of Ms Nisreen Nasif and Mr Joe Chaar performed the Master of Ceremony (MC).

The Minister Ajaka delivered a speech praising the contributions of Australians of Lebanese background in the Australian society and stressed his support to Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageants.

Great Speechs were also delivered by both Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Contest 2015 Winner Miss Nicole Rizk and Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Contest 2014 Winner, and Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2015 Miss Cynthia Farah.

Joseph Khoury spoke at the ceremony and thanked Mr Antoine Maksoud, the President of Miss Lebanon World Emigrant Committee, the Hon Mr Michel Faroun, the Minister of Tourism in Lebanon for their excellent support. He also thanked the Panel of judges, Monie & her team, sponsors and all those who contributed to the success of this regular event and has helped in the past years and present.

The entertainment program event included a marvelous performance by the Comedian /Actor John Khodair and beautiful songs by Shauki Deeb and his daughter Miram Deeb (guests from Lebanon), singer Nemer Melhem, and the Australian Vocalist Simone Waddell on the sound of creative music by maestro Patrick Najem.

The Pageant has been achieving a tremendous success over the years and proved to be well received in Australia. It will lead the winner of the crown into The Miss Lebanon Immigrant to be held in Lebanon.

Congratulations to the crown winner and the first and second runner up. Congratulations to Mr. Joe Khoury the Director of Miss Lebanon Australia for continuing to serve and celebrate the heritages and the cultural values of the Australian Lebanese Community.

‘A Lover’s Country’ book launch by Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees AM

on April 14, 2016

By Marcelle Mansour

On Tuesday April 12^th2016, I attended the book launch of ‘A Lover’s Country’, at Gleebooks – Glebe. The author of the book, Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees AM signed his book ‘A Lover’s Country’. Mary Kostakidis, the former weeknight SBS World News Australia presenter launched the book, with music plus a Q & A session. The music was played by one of the finest female Sydney singers Abby Dobson, and The MC was performed by Mr James Ross.

At the event, I was keen to be the first person sitting at the front raw while watching, listening and observing the whole A & Q session between Professor Stuart Rees and Mary Kostakidis. Professor Rees read an extract from his book in chapter 31 titled ‘Fadeela Answers Back’, in which Fadeela’s character refered to Dr Hanan Ashrawi, who is a distinguished Palestinian leader and an official spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace process, and the receiver of Sydney Peace Award. I was positively and attentively listening to Professor Rees’ voice while he was reading the dialogue between Ashrawi and the producer of an Australian current affairs radio programme. I admired the way he was expressing his thoughts, opinions and feelings, especially in those words Fadeela said : “Security is a by –product of peace. All our lives we have lived without just peace. Therefore no security, seeking a just peace is a struggle. p251”. This was culminated by the discussion of A & Q between him and Mary Kostakidis, where I found Professor Stuart Rees to be a real charismatic leader who has extremely an affecting and inspiring personality with a unique charisma. For his novel of A Lover’s Country touches on the great love that people may spread when struggling for the rights of others.

A recent Amazon review described the book as ‘… the story of how power works to stop inconvenient truths from being told.’ The title of the novel is taken from the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish who wrote about the plight of his people but imagined that one day, even from stone; a lover’s country could be built.

Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees AM signed his book ‘A Lover’s Country’ that is a novel based on the Palestinian reality and is an invitation for peace with justice. ‘A Lover’s Country’ by Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees AM is certainly of an investing value and is a must read.

It can be read about the book under Amazon sight under Books, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, link :

https://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Country-Stuart-Rees/dp/1785547305

(In the course of their passionate relationship, Tom Markson and his much younger Jewish lover Naomi Branath support a Palestinian leader, Fadeela Qubra who has been awarded an international prize for peace and who knows the details of a murder and a massacre. Fierce opponents of Dr. Qubra want her story suppressed and the award to her cancelled. Tom and Naomi find the courage and the stamina to resist the opposition and eventually enable Fadeela to leave Ramallah, fly to Australia to tell her story and receive her award. Despite death threats and opposition from powerful lobbies, human rights are upheld, love triumphs and the story is told. Told with a compelling immediacy, A Lover’s Country sheds light on the intrigue, struggle and behind-the-scenes wrangling associated with the nomination of a Palestinian woman as the recipient of a major peace prize. With a cast of memorable characters, a tightly crafted plot and touches of memorable poetry, A Lover’s Country is an illuminating tale of justice with a hard won message of hope. In particular it is a must-read for anyone interested in the current plight of the Palestinians, Arab Israeli relations, and the presentation of these questions by the Western media. William Lane Author of the highly acclaimed novels, Over the Water and The Horses This is a beautifully written and engaging story. It traces the kind of love that can only develop when people fight for the rights of others and never waver despite incessant and dangerous opposition. In events set largely in San Francisco, London, Sydney, Jerusalem, and Ramallah, that opposition includes powerful politicians and a compliant media who try to stifle accounts of a murder and a massacre. In spite of the pressures which confront them, the leading characters weather the storms and show how courage defeats compromise, principle overcomes pragmatism and how the passion of gutsy individuals lives up to the ideals of A Lover’s Country. Adam Courtenay Author of the dramatic, revealing history Amazon Men.)

Arab Council Australia’s Launch of Strategic Plan And Reconvened AGM 2016

on April 11, 2016

By Marcelle Mansour

Arab Council Australia (ACA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and launched the Strategic Plan 2016-20120, on Thursday 31 March 2016 at ACA Bankstown. In the presence of: The Honourable Mr David Clarke MLC- Member of the Legislative Council-Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and representing the Minister Hon John Akaka-for aging-Minister for Disability Services-Minister for Multicultualism; His Excellency Mr Ahmad Ait Issa-Minister of the Embassy of Morocco Canberra; Superintendent Dave Eardle-Commander Bankstown Local Area Command; Ms Melissa Johnston-Principal of Granville South Creative & Performing arts high School; and Ms Don Issa-Dupty Principal of the same school.

More than a hundred people of Council members, guests, and heads of organizations, business owners, writers and artists, media representatives and community supporters attended the function.

Marcelle Mansour (Visual Artist and Writer of this article) performed the Master of Ceremony (MC). She gave an elaborate introduction about the Arab Council Australia’s history, and reflected on the efforts made in the past years. Marcelle explained how she is connected with this dynamic organization and its people for a long time, and described how the Council has grown significantly over the years and has taken new directions and initiatives that are responsive to the changing community environment.

The event commenced with the launch of Council’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020 by the honourable David Clarke MLC, then the reconvened the 2015 AGM. The first part was held on 16 December 2015. On 31^s of March 2016 was the second part of the 2015 AGM and Council reconvened it to present the full report about Council’s activities and elect a new Board and to launch Council’s new Strategic Plan for 2016 – 2020. Hopefully the Council will hold its AGM 2016 in the final half of this year.

Summary Reports were prepared and delivered by The Chairperson of Arab Council Australia, Ms Fatima Ali, before and after the Strategic Plan Launch, followed by the Treasurer Mr Amir Salem, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Randa Kattan. After the adoption of 2015 Annual Report, The election of the new Board of Management was conducted, overseen and reported by the Returning Officer, Dr Emad Berro, Pathologist and Microbiologist.

The Hon Mr. David Clark MLC, spoke about how the Arab Council Australia has carried a heavy load in recent times, especially in the time of the increasing number of the Australian Arabic Speaking Communities who came from the most civilized culture of the world. For the Arabic world is the cradle of science, medicine, astronomy and literature. In literature for example, Gibran Khalil Gibran is the third most widely read in the history after Shakespeare and Lao Tzu. Arab Council always welcomes and caters for everybody in need regardless to origin or religion. The Hon Mr. Clarke also expressed his delightfulness for viewing such a great comprehensive strategic plan which has an inclusive clear vision and properly filled of fine details. The Hon Mr. Clarke congratulated Arab Council for their remarkable achievements and inclusiveness.

Ms Randa Kattan CEO, talked about the achievements and the challenges faced by the Council during the past years and the council efficient performances towards the objectives and goals. She stated that Council has proved to be playing a significant role in presenting the interests of Arab Australians and in providing various services to the community. It is also worth mentioning that, Randa has been recognized as one of the top 21 Influential Women in 2015. Ms Kattan thanked and congratulated the staff and the Board for the commitment and hard work over the past year, looking forward to further achievements from this Council in the upcoming year and beyond.

The audience were entertained by displaying a video of performance that was presented by the talented students of Granville South Creative & Performing Arts High School. Participants received token gifts of appreciation that say “Thank You”, including the Hon Mr. David Clarke MLC, Ms Melissa Johnston-Principal of Granville high School, Dr Emad Berro and Marcelle Mansour.

Marcelle took the opportunity to congratulate the staff and the new Board and thanked everyone who came along.

Refreshments were served and the event proved to be very successful due to the dedicated organisers, professional participants and wonderful attendees.

An Inevitable Shift in Contemporary Thought

on March 7, 2016

by Marcelle Mansour

Contemporary Australian society is characterized by cultural diversity and openness to the world. Australia has proved to be successful in its commitment to the preservation of multiculturalism, and therefore we see Australia shows more sympathy and interaction with humanitarian issues and oppressed peoples than any other countries in the world.

Australia adopted the application of contemporary social philosophy based on the principle of multiculturalism or cultural diversity since the early seventies, which replaced the policy of “White Australia” or “Anglo-Saxon”. Australia accepted and absorbed immigrants from all different countries around the world, of diverse races and nationalities, religions and cultures, in the hope of integration into the Australian society and expecting those cohorts of immigrants to become an active part of its ingredients. Not surprising, if we know that Australia today has more than 220 ethnic origins speaking 225 different languages that all compose cultural diversity. This undoubtedly requires all to live in peace and mutual respect for others within the atmosphere that allows freedom, democracy and equal opportunity, as a means to promote harmony among all people irrespective of their religion and ethnicity.

On the other hand, the Australian government expects from those ethnic communities to loyally respond, by acting real good citizens and being able to engage and adapt in today’s new Australian nation, and making positive contributions to building their new home Australia.

With the worsening of conflicts in the Middle Eastern countries, and the emergence of extremist fundamentalist groups, and terrorists, we have witnessed an increase in the fissures between ethnic communities in general, and the gap began to widen in the whole one society, even among Muslims themselves. At present, there are some indicators that draw attention to the emergence of extremism in some places like schools and centers of prayer, and also to the rapid growing of extremist ideology. This growing phenomenon is observable in the number of young (teen agers) Australians who want to travel abroad, to Syria and Iraq to join the ranks of terrorists of Daash. It has already become a concern to the security authorities in the country, which compelled to suspend their actions from traveling outside Australia or return to it.

Therefore, we (Australians) firmly believe that there is an urgent need to re-examine the social, political and cultural aspects, including educational and religious curriculum, as well as recognizing the importance of arts, literature and music to bridge the knowledge gaps and to bring communities together. That is why it has become more important than ever – in this turbulent era – that we certainly need a radical change, in terms of having the ability to rethink and to be more creative, in making new collective efforts to revise the curriculum in terms of religion, citizenship and humanity in order to build mutual trust, and to give hope to young people, to achieve security, harmony, love and peace.

It should be noted here, to highlight the importance of the Australian Arab solidarity in this area, and how much we need to have a moderate responsible leaders of Arab origin, especially if we know that the number of Muslims and Christians constitute together more than half of the world’s population (%55). It is certain now that a great part of the world’s future will depend on the success of interfaith dialogue between religions, in order to effect transformation in the human mentality and to make the change occurs at both the individual and collective levels, to what be recognized as suitable to our contemporary time.

Talking about our contemporary time, may raise more than one question: How can transformation happen? Transformation of what? Transformation to what? Why? How can we change? How can we move from old thought to new thinking? How is it possible to remove the old black extremist thought and make rebirth of moderate bright one? Are these ideological thought which prevail at present will shrink the concept of cultural diversity, and perhaps will be phasing it, especially some community members tend to stick to the traditions of the mother country at the expense of Australia’s new home? This is followed at a later question?

How has the Arab community affected the Australian society in terms of cultural diversity? And how they interacted and to what extent? And if so, was it positive or negative impact? Has the Arab community in Australia brought about contemporary thinkers/theorists/ scholars/ philosophers to discuss the concepts of ”freedom” or “democracy”, “justice,”, ” equality “,” respect for others “, for example? How to defeat terrorism ideology? Or talk on the issue of absorption of the concept of “contemporary”? So much need today to innovate , to rethink for foreseeing a new vision that can take the goodness of both (old and new) and recreate them in a new mould, like producing fresh juice, that is suitable to nourish the emerging contemporary generations.

Australia has always lead the way to drink from cups that full of important and necessary concepts in our lives, such as high values that already mentioned above, and we have to work together to blend this new juice with the contemporary spirit . This will enable us to shift from backwardness to progress, from freeze state to dynamic. We can weave a new fabric of thought to fit our present time, and to produce a new mixture of juice to drink, until it becomes a new blood runs in our veins, and grow in our bodies, and renew our minds and our souls.

United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016 at the UPF Embassy

on February 7, 2016

By Marcelle Mansour

I attended the seminar of United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016, which was hosted by the Universal Peace Federation Australia (UPF) , during the Ambassadors for Peace bimonthly meeting at the Oceania embassy in Sydney, on Monday 1^st February of this year, with its slogan of “Interfaith in Action: Working Together for the Common Goods”.

As we know, the United Nations has designated the first week of February of every year to be the World Interfaith Harmony Week. It is worthwhile to mention here a bit of history – for the sake of knowledge – that the World Interfaith Harmony Week has been proposed between religions for the first time in the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by His Majesty King Abdullah II, King Jordan. Then the United Nations decided unanimously on October 20, 2010 to be celebrated since then onwards in the first week of February, that is (1-7 Feb) to be known as “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. The aim is to simply initiate mutual understanding and effective dialogue between religions as a way to promote harmony among all people regardless of their religion. It began harbingers in 2007, where Christians and Muslims leaders were called on to engage in the primary two common core religious commandments dialogue; the love of God and love of neighbor, for These commandments are the hub of the three large monotheistic religions without prejudice to any of their own religious principles. Thus providing a solid foundation for joint action on love and cooperation among people of goodwill and promote a message of interfaith harmony in churches and mosques around the world, and synagogues and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis in accordance with the religious traditions of their own cultures. This will hopefully encourage and help these groups to be aware of each other, and promote the movement of construction through mutual relations that far outweigh their differences, thus providing a strong dose of peace and harmony in their communities.

I would like to express the extent of my admiration to all the speakers who addressed the importance of the topic that began with the UPF president Greg Stone’s words – with the UPF Introductory Video – where he said: “Our presence here as ambassadors for peace, we come from all over the world in order that we encourage one family of all religions under one God, to seek together towards goodness and unity and break down barriers, for all religions should work together to address the issue of conflict and achieve peace in the world.

Mr. Greg Johns, Vice Director of Soak Gukkai Internatioanl Australia and manager of their Peace, Culture and Education portfolio, delivered a significant speech explaining the vital role of the Buddhist religion in peacemaking, and responsibility entrusted to us towards each other and towards humanity as a whole, that go beyond the extremism towards our interests and work to help others, particularly that depression issue is a big problem in this country and other countries. Buddhism has long been celebrated as a religion of peace and non-violence always aspiring for the need of achieving higher humanism in respecting individuals and people through the symphony of heart to heart dialogue that share the suffering of others through connecting together and bringing friendship respect. This followed by the speech of guest speaker Ms Anne Lanyon, from the Columban Mission Institute Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice and the Faith Ecology Network, where she spoke about the urgent goals in regards to the religious traditions of mutual engagement of the environment, its defense and protection.

Ms Aila Wilitts, MC made the welcoming remarks with her calming presentation and the event was closed with peaceful musical presentation.

I attended the bimonthly meeting as usual, and liked the subject and its content. I was also surprised with the attendance of the high number of audience including the Ambassadors of Peace who have come from various backgrounds except of the Arabic ones. The fact of the matter is that we, the Australian Middle Eastern are the ones who really with the most in need of this kind of knowledge for many reasons. For I believe that our presence is beneficial to encourage and promote this kind of topics and functions.

Undoubtedly, mutual understanding and dialogue among all religions and beliefs constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace as a way to promote harmony and cooperation among all people irrespective of races and religions, especially we live in the midst of political and religious crises, intolerance, terrorism, social, humanitarian troubled and other problems in this puzzling era. It is important to participate in the multiple aspects of the broader discussion, for the convergence in the exchange of views, and dissolving dissonance in different views, may help to promote the method of approach to understanding and respect between religions and generations, and to accept the ‘other’. This will work on healing the wounds of violence, and also healing the rift between religious and sectarian groups. It will certainly work to challenge the risk of cultural conflicts, to change our lives for the better, and to build peace in the world.

Thank You God

on November 30, 2015

In the realm of the revered survival

That flooded the heart of infinity spiral

It was that day in my kitchen

When the heat melted the ice like fiction

On Wednesday November eighteen

Two thousand and fifteen

At five sharp, before the sun went down

While preparing the evening meal began

The NutriBullet blender suddenly swayed

The rubber ring seal came off the blade

Fall out of place and flied in the air

The smoothie spilt, sprayed on tiles spread everywhere

A puddle of silky banana berry covered the floor

All of a sudden caused me a slipping fall

With steel kettle in my hand tore my forehead

My Injury shockingly horrid

My first memory is a cut with blood splashes to the tiles

My body turned into screaming piles

Muscular burses in both knees and shoulder

A sore arm and a swollen finger

Oh boy, all what I recall?

The ride in the ambulance

The accidence of short walking distance

Hospital, nurses, doctors, how glorious being conscience

Feeling the stiches like dissolving pain

Surviving the fall is a wonderful gain

Saving my soul regain proclaim

Grateful to God sustaining my brain

No missing limb no fracture no ugly burn

Protecting the realm of existing domain

To gracefully ever remain

Of reality aware, remembering the accident with no one to blame

For I believe, I receive, in blessing Jesus Name

Reflect on family and friends with immaculate loved flame

To heal my wound with your touch of holy fire to empower

When sound of music awaken the songs of guardian angel choir

Rebuke the world of evil satire

For eternal promise will never retire

And the Holy Spirit for ever inspire

Championship arena shire

What did Samson in his miraculous birth acquire?

A piece of modest gauze on my frontal is more precious than sapphire

Thank you Lord for granting me power

To embrace Metamorphosis for new beginning of rising birth

Making peace on earth with joyful mirth

Stepping forward and walking miles

For a new life and keeping smiles

Thank you to Father in Heaven I declare

That love and hope defeat despair

Thank you to the infallible Presence of the Greatest Care

Filing the human spirit with world’s joy to share