Andrew Bolt was in full flight over the weekend attacking the Grand Mufti. Bolt is right in pointing out that Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad has lived here for close to 20-years but chooses to deliver most of his addresses through an interpreter. Bolt pointing out the Grant Mufti doesn’t speak English. In fact, he does but not well. Dr Ibrahim has also explained why when making a public statement he doesn’t use English. You either accept his reasoning or you don’t. His explanation sounds reasonable to me. That said, it is disappointing.
Dr Ibrahim he isn’t the only import who struggles with a foreign language. I know many from other parts who do. Italians, Greeks, Lebanese and Egyptians as an example. People who have lived here for much longer than 20 years. It doesn’t mean they can’t participate or integrate because they do. In fact it has been the source of great mirth at times. The same when I’ve been with locals in foreign countries and can’t speak the language.
Not everyone finds learning a foreign language easy. I speak from personal experience having struggled to learn foreign languages and given up every time. I’m simply rubbish; as they say ‘no ear’. I envy those who find it easy. My late hubby was a wiz. He found it so easy. He spoke five languages.
Now to the point of this blog. When people like Bolt become fixated on attacking people, and Bolt is a master at it, they lose all sense of balance and fairness. But I guess if Bolt didn’t stir up certain sections of his audience and feed their bias he wouldn’t have an audience.
It’s a shame that Bolt doesn’t (byway of balance) share other addresses by Dr Abraham. I stumbled across this on Dr Abrahim’s Facebook page. I check there from time to time to see what he and his community say about certain events. The following is his address to Year 12 students who graduated from Unity Grammar this month. Dr Abrahim’s references to country, loyalty abiding by laws and warnings over extremism were very strong. We need to see more of this stuff in the news media. It might make people feel a bit more comfortable.
The address:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah, Sustainer of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, the most noble of creation, and upon his companions.
To the esteemed Mr Waleed Ali, the noble teaching staff, and the board of Unity Grammar. The parents and guardians of the students here, those who really deserve to celebrate. Also to those students whom we are celebrating their graduation today. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.
Allah says in the Quran: “Say: ‘in the bounty and mercy of Allah, let them rejoice. Verily, that is better than what they amass.’”You students are privileged on a number of levels. Allah has provided you with parents who have worked hard and sacrificed their wealth and their lives, all in order for you to gain an education. They spend their nights awake and toil in order for you to succeed.
They sacrifice out of love for you, taking care of all your needs. We praise Allah that He has facilitated for you half the journey. We also ask Him to make easy for us the second half which is perhaps even more important. That is, the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels of education.
We thank Allah that we are celebrating as students, as a school, as parents, as a nation, that He has made easy this stage of our journey. We hope that He completes the greater joy for us later on. You are privileged in that by the grace and mercy of Allah, he has prepared for you a school that excels in its management, morals and teaching staff.
Your leader bears the spirit of a true leader, the mind of an intellectual, and a heart that beats. His emotions are filled with contemplation, great energy, true determination and noble goals. He is greatly concerned in raising the future generations of this land. These qualities have without doubt been passed onto all those connected to Unity Grammar, helping them to succeed academically and being distinguished in their morals and manners. You have been raised to cling tightly onto brilliant love, rejecting all forms of discrimination and bigotry. The spirit of noble character has spread amongst you, causing springs of generosity and love to surface.
Secondly, you have been privileged in that by the grace of Allah and His mercy, He has prepared for you a land in which you have been brought up in. Remember, that Australia has presented to you, your parents and grandparents all good. You should respond to this love with love. Protect its security and safety. Abide by its laws. These laws were legislated to protect you and your families.
Beware of extremist propaganda and terrorism. Such is a path to death and loss. Beware of the calls of extremism causing you to feel alienated. Otherwise, this could then lead you to actions that stain your religion and community. Do not learn your religion from ‘Sheikh’ Google or ‘Sheikh’ YouTube. They are imposters and untrustworthy. Take your knowledge from reputable sources and scholars who are experts in their field. Know for certain that Australia is your country, and that of your children. Return the good of this land by your positive contributions, loyalty and affiliation.
Thirdly, O students and youth. You are privileged because you are a vital part of this Australian society. You are not a foreign element. Today, we have come to celebrate your graduation. Respond to this with beauty - to your families, school and land. Be mindful of the greater celebration. This will be the joy of the Prophet of Allah, the Master of all human beings - Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This joy of his with you will be realised when you cling firmly onto your Islamic identity. That will be the day which you make your Islamic identity the source of your glory and pride. That will be the day which you, O young person, will know that our glory and salvation is not far from your Islamic faith. That will be the day on which you bear great hope for others, as your Prophet did. He saved them from their loss, comforting their loneliness, and preparing their return to Allah.
Fourthly, know O my beloved child, that your upright character and abiding by the morals of your religion will restore to this religion its lost representation in this age. It will change your presence amongst non-Muslims to a source of mercy, granting humanity a great insight. This will not be realised except through good character, purity of heart, and freedom from its diseases such as bigotry and hatred. Your mind must be clean from extremism. Beware, O son, of being influenced by those who desire you to be the enemy of your land. They call you to extremist ways and hatred. They deceive you with words about manhood, paradise, and women. They call you to perform actions that harm your religion and society.The great joy shall occur when you are positive and true to your nation. Protect it from evil and harm. Your land is the vessel that protects your faith, providing you with civil liberties. This allows you to freely practise your religion. Respond to love with love. Respond to generosity with generosity. Present your land of Australia with what it deserves of service and loyalty.
Fifthly, you should realise O Muslim student, that the power of the mind supersedes that of the weapon. The power of noble character is greater than the waves of immorality and bigotry. Love is the key to changing intellects and societies. To be in the service of others is the quickest route to gaining people’s love.
Sixthly, O my child, you should take care of your life. You should be motivated to bring joy to the heart of your Prophet, as well as your family. You should seek to bring joy to your nation through your generosity and academic success. Be amongst people as an ambassador for your Prophet. In this way, the world will be happy with you, and existence, the universe and life will all be happy with you.
I call you to a bright future. I leave you under the protection of Allah. He will guard you. May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you.
I think this piece from Dr Abrahim’s address sends a very good message. “Remember, that Australia has presented to you, your parents and grandparents all good. You should respond to this love with love. Protect its security and safety. Abide by its laws. These laws were legislated to protect you and your families.
Beware of extremist propaganda and terrorism. Such is a path to death and loss. Beware of the calls of extremism causing you to feel alienated. Otherwise, this could then lead you to actions that stain your religion and community. Do not learn your religion from ‘Sheikh’ Google or ‘Sheikh’ YouTube. They are imposters and untrustworthy. Take your knowledge from reputable sources and scholars who are experts in their field. Know for certain that Australia is your country, and that of your children. Return the good of this land by your positive contributions, loyalty and affiliation.”
Of course Bolt won’t publish that. It doesn’t serve his purpose. Such a shame.
