To the members of the Indian Crescent Society of Australia,

I wish to convey my wishes to your association and to your members for another successful Ramadan period. Eid Mubarak to all your members and their families. Ramadan is a period of reflection and reconnection with family. The Muslim community in Australia has taken up this task and successfully involved not only their own families but integrated the tradition of Ramadan into the wider Australia community. In addition, you have taken up the task of representing Islam and the Australian community worldwide and I acknowledge the work of progressive organisations such as the Indian Crescent Society of Australia in this effort.

Your task is not only as an Islamic community but also as a member of the worlds’ second largest Muslim Community - being that of Indian Muslims is doubly important. You represent a multicultural country, India, and the largest minority within a multicultural country to another multicultural country, Australia. Increasingly, Indian Muslims are the example that both Muslims and non-Muslims use when describing and defining Islam.

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW is the peak body representing ethnic and multicultural communities in NSW where we have represented our members for over 40 years. We look forward to the active role that the Indian Crescent Society will play in the future. We are pleased esteemed members of the ISCOA are active members of ECC NSW and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

Multiculturalism is not without its challenges. Proposed changes to immigration laws, the pressure of changes to Section 18 (C) of the Racial Discrimination Act as well as the ongoing scourge of racism are challenges that we all face. I look forward to addressing these challenges together and we look towards the ICSOA to take a leadership role in representing not only its own interests but those of our many communities.

Yours in Multiculturalism,
Peter Doukas
Chair
Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW