By Marcelle Mansour

The Australian Palestinian Community Commemorated the 68^th Anniversary of Al Nakba, together with the Celebration of the 2015 Australian Palestinian Graduates.

The General Union of Palestinian Workers and Australian Palestinian Graduates Association held a Ceremony in honor of the Palestinian University Graduates and the HSC Achievers in 2015, under the patronage of H.E.Dr. Izzat Abdul Hadi, the Ambassador of Palestine to the Commonwealth of Australia. On Sunday, 15 May 2016 in Candle Light Reception Lounge. The event also coincided with the date of commemoration the 68^th Anniversary of AL Nakba meaning catastrophe.

Distinguished guests attended: Julia Finn MP -Australian Labour Party Member for Granville NSW,  Lee Rhiannon MP – The Australian Greens Senator for NSW,  Mr Jihad Dib MP- Parliament of NSW -Shadow Minister for Education,  Mr Paul Lynch MP – Parliament of NSW Member of the Legislative Assembly Member for Liverpool Shadow Attorney General Member of the Australian Labor Party,  Mayor Khal Asfour – Clr of Bankstown City Council,  Associate Professor Jake Lynch – Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney,  Prof Peter Manning Professor of Journalism,  Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed – Grand Mufti of Australia, the Secretary General of Fatah Abdul Kader Karanouh, and expert of Australian Palestinian Affairs Eddie Zananiri, Artists and Academics, Various Cultural  and Islamic Associations and Political Parties Presidents,  Media Representatives and a crowd of families and friends.

 The ceremony began by playing the two national anthems of Australia and Palestine. Followed by welcoming the attendees with an introduction and a poem about Palestine recited by student Rola Alian, then a video displayed a brief history of occupied Palestine.

The function was highlighted by a creative piece of performance titled “Al Nakba Suitcase “and was acted by Saleh Saqqaf  (Broadcaster and Actor) on the sound of Oud music played by the MC. Mr. Jamal Alyan.

Speeches delivered as follows:

Abdul Hadi, Ambassador: In his speech H.E. stated: ” Al-Nakba marks all our lives and it remains with us”. Palestinians always remember the sad expel of their homeland and it remains with them until justice and freedom will take place. These wonderful young achievers are the future of the Australian-Palestinian community spanning the globe who will transform loss into a victory.

Mr. Monir Mahajinah delivered a political speech in Arabic, in his own words: “Tonight, we are not here to celebrate Al Nakba, rather commemorate Al Nakba and raise flags and slogans. Three strategies are required:  firstly, is Unity, secondly to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on the ground, such as education and other things, and thirdly, resistance to the new generations. We cannot achieve independence, without our will and persistence and, embracing the Holy Stone.”

Lee Rhiannon MP who has visited Palestine and has seen the refugee camps said the Nakba day is a sad day to Palestinian people who were taken away from their home. But time has come to achieve justice, and the 21^st century will witness that Palestinians will return to their land, “especially here we are celebrating the success of new generation, your voice of Palestine will act as a challenge, it is about the commitment of people working together.” She said.

Paul Lynch MP:  expressed his support to the Palestinian Community on Al-Nakba Day commemoration of Palestinian exodus forcibly displaced from their homeland in1948 and their right of return to justice and ending occupation. He also praised the high achievement of a young generation.

Jihad Dib MP: “There is a lot of connection between Aboriginals and Palestinians… Israel built the wall, but would not kill the spirit of Palestinian People… The fight of Palestine is the fight of what is right to return the land that was taken away from them… It is an honour to celebrate the achievements of young Australian Palestinians… Live Australia and Live Palestine.”

Jack Lynch: who has been a Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney stated that the process is about the continuation of academic research. He praised the Palestinian graduates who came from Gaza and have excelled in every unit. Lynch was proud to see the very first graduate of Master Degree (Mr. Shamik Badra) from Gaza on scholarship and he mentioned that the university will support more students from Gaza in the near future.

The event concluded by delivering appreciation awards to the Parliamentary members for their continuous support to the Palestinian cause: Julia Finn MP, Jihad Dib MP, Paul Lynch MP.  As well as members of the Palestinian community where the Ambassador Dr. Izzat Abdul Hadi presented a shield  – on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) – to The General Union of Palestinian Workers in Australia, for their tireless work of serving the Community. The shield was received by President Ibrahim Ishan, followed by Palestinian community members who received appreciation awards were: Lama Hammouri, Ibrahim Ishan, Khader Sultan,  Mahmoud Sultan,  Akeel Sultan, George Dabbagh, Mr. Eddie Zananiri, Maher Morqabala, Ahmad Qasim for Council of Australian Palestinians. The Ambassador of Palestine Dr. Izzat Abdulhadi also delivered achievement awards to 53 Palestine graduates of HSC, Master, and Ph.D.

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 Speeches 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 Miriam 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 heritage and the cultural values of the Australian Lebanese Community.

By Marcelle Mansour

On Tuesday, April 12^th, 2016, 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 on 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 referred 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 person 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 canceled. 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.)