The Honourable Dr Murtaza Ali, Judicial Member of Central Administrative Tribunal, Allahabad Bench from India paid a visit to Australia and met ICSOA members at the NSW Paliament House on 22nd June 2017.

He was accompanied by his son Mr Hassan Murtaza, a practicing lawyer in the Supreme Court India working with Mulla and Mulla Associates, one of the prominent law firm based in New Delhi.

Dr Murtaza Ali has distinguished legal career and served with UP Government and Judiciary. He joined UP Judicial Service in 1981 and was promoted to Higher Judicial Service in the year 2000.

He worked on deputation in the UP State Legal Services Authority and Institute of Judicial Training and Research. He retired as District and Sessions Judge, Auraiya, UP in 2012.

Hon Ms Sophie Cotsis, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism welcomed the delegation in the Parliament House lounge. She shared her Greek heritage and explained how ethnic communities lived in harmony in Sydney and Australia, one of the best Multicultural country in the world.

Mr Abbas Raza Alvi, President of the ICSOA, Mr Siddique Panwala, ICSOA Legal Consultant and Mr Syed Jafar, ICSOA IT team Co-ordinator joined him at the Pariament House.

Mr Hasan Quraishi arranged a meeting with the delegation with Shadow Minister of Multiculturalism Ms Sophie Costis at the NSW Parliament.

Mr Alvi explained the activities of ICSOA being a collective voice for Indian Muslims in Australia and at the same time promote Indian heritage, culture and languages.

Dr Ali visited both Houses of Parliament and observed proceedings of the day. It was a different experience visiting the People’s Parliament, unlike the strict security at Indian Parliaments.

The delegation visited NSW Parliament library and the main hall. NSW Parliament is the oldest Parliament in Australia initially a colony of Great Britain.

Dr Ali showed great interest in the colonial history of Australia. Mr Panwala explained about NSW Colony and formation of Australia as a nation with special emphasis on judicial system in Australia in comparison to Indian Judicial System.

Dr Ali also visited Queen Square building, the hub of Australian Judiciary in Sydney incorporating the High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia.

Both Dr Ali and Mr Murtaza were both very much impressed by the democratic institutions in Australia and enjoyed the NSW Parliament House live session.