Tuesday, 19 September 2017

INDIAN CRESCENT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

It is my pleasure to offer my warm and sincere greetings to members and friends of the Indian Crescent Society of Australia.

The theme of your newsletter ‘peace and harmony’ could not be more appropriate to describe the collective goal of our harmonious multicultural society.

Our multicultural society is inclusive of all people, irrespective of different cultural, linguistic, religious or ancestral backgrounds.

I am proud New South Wales (NSW) was the first State in Australia, and the second in the world, to introduce policy specifically designed to welcome cultural and linguistic diversity as our common asset.

As Minister for Multiculturalism I represent the interests of all members of our society, including those of the Indian Muslim community in NSW. India is home to the second largest number of Muslims in the world and there are more than 5,000 Indian Muslim families in Australia.

Muslims of Indian origin have contributed to every facet of our society, including the business, arts and cultural and public sectors of NSW.

By giving Indian Muslims a voice and representing their collective interests in the community, ICSOA sets an example for all community organisations in our State.

Your commitment to promote peace, build interfaith dialogue, strengthen intercultural understanding and mutual respect are universal values which each and every member of our society should espouse.

The NSW Government would like to sincerely thank ICSOA for embodying the true spirit of our multicultural society by promoting our shared values and the cornerstones of mutual understanding and respect.