Australian Muslims Celebrate a Year of Success
Youth of the Year, Woman of the Year, Man of the Year and Lifetime Achievement were among the most anticipated of the 16 award categories, with Afghan Refugee and current Young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi taking AMAA Youth of the Year for his work as a mentor for young Indigenous people.
Now in their eighth year, these annual awards are special opportunity to celebrate the significant accomplishments of Australian Muslim individuals and organizations and raise their profile in Australian society.
“These awards celebrate the important role that Australian Muslims have played in Australia’s past and present and will continue to play in the future,” said Maha Najjarine, Mission of Hope’s President and AMAA coordinator.
The awards were held at a ceremony on Sunday 1 December 2013, with entertainment and special guest appearances by former MasterChef contestants Amina ElShafei and Samira ElKhaffir, and 2013 winner of Channel 7’s The Mole, Hilal Kara-Ali
“This is a great way to foster the community spirit and inspire our younger generations to become future leaders,” said Ms Najjarine.
Man of the Year was awarded to none other than Oguz Taskun, for his tireless efforts as director of humanitarian aid organization World Orphan Fund. Previous recipients include Author and TV personality Waleed Aly
For 23 year old Ahmad Al Rady, who received double nominations for Youth of the Year and Creative Artist of the Year, the event was cause for celebration as he walked out with Creative Artist of the Year. Ahmad is the co-founder of the Bankstown Poetry slam, widely known as the biggest slam in Australia, and hopes to continue working to raise the importance of the arts in the community.
“This award is a testament to the importance of the arts – one of the most powerful platforms to give people a voice – and to write history with,” said Ahmad.
Women of the Year went to Tasneem Chopra for her work to facilitate Muslim women’s full participation in Australian society through programs and services designed to empower while promoting social justice.
The much anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award was this year won by Maha Abdo-Krayem OAM for her decades of service to the Australian Muslims community.
The AMAA ceremony also recognized the efforts of non-Muslims who have helped foster mutual respect and understanding by awarding non-Muslims the prestigious Abyssinian Award to AFL Auburn Tigers Captain and primary school teacher Kirrily Boyd.
The awards were sponsored by Fresh Poultry, Human Appeal International Australia and Pharmacy4Less, the awards are instrumental in raising the profile of Australian Muslims, both at an individual and organizational level and promoting their achievements.
