PIA NEWS VOL.

Issue 02

PIA News
Vol.6

16 th Jan 2016
A

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITIES NETWORK IN ACTION AGAIN

PASSION, INTEGRITY & APNAPAN

Every year Pakistanis in Australia organizes Australia Day in Pakistan supporting a school or hospital and many
of you have donated in past. Having witnessed the Bushfire last week we have decided to organize an event this
year to raise funds for the victims of Bushfire.
As part of the Collaborative Communities Network, our sister organizations are fully supportive and on board to
lend helping hand providing in kind support. In addition we are grateful to Aylanto Caf (Rockingham), Platinum
Restaurant (Wanneroo), Caf Punjabi (Vic Park), Jhoom Dance Group, Expedition Band and Mannings Senior
Citizen Centre who all are providing their services in kind.
You are invited to join us for a dinner with music and dance on 24th January at Manning Senior Citizen Centre
from 6.30 930.
We will also be selling new and preloved formal wear from Pakistan and India donated by members. Hina Arshee
is another volunteer who is happy to collect if there are any more formal dresses that our members can donate
and you can drop them at Great Beginnings childcare centre 81B Manning road Bentley.
We are also trying to have a raffle draw so you are welcome to donate small prizes or hampers. The tickets are at
20 dollars each and if you have not had Pakistani Biryani and desert ever, this is the perfect chance to taste.
http://www.trybooking.com/KCYR
For regular updates, please see our event page at
https://www.facebook.com/events/463130310549168/
There is no alcohol or vegetarian option available.

A very happy and safe Australia Day to all

PIA NEWS VOL.6 | Issue 02

ACCOMODATION REQUIRED FOR A FEMALE STUDENT IN PERTH

A new student at ECU, Mt. Lawley requires accommodation from February so if you have one please let
us know.
THE NEED FOR PRAYERS ROOM
This week we read about the facilities regarding prayers at the newly built stadium in Perth.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30530104/three-prayer-rooms-for-new-stadium/ We asked our members
what do they think via social media. We have received sixty-six responses (17 through personal messages). Two
responses were from female members.
81% of the respondents do not think it is necessary to have a prayers room at a stadium. 3% do not know while
16% agree with the proposal but their opinions were mainly as to if it is available well and good. Some of the
comments are;
xxxxx just can't stop their drama, it wasn't even necessary to build prayer rooms in the stadium but if authorities are
doing so just appreciate it and don't forget they are offering you respect to ensure you feel yourself part of this
society and make it a better home therefore kindly stop beating your own drums
Always interesting to see the views of first generation immigrants. I think the later generations tend to be more
comfortable voicing their views on such matters! I don't think anyone should be made to feel guilty about wanting
things to cater for them, like prayer rooms or halal restaurants etc. We're all part of this country and contribute
towards the economy like any other person, Caucasian or not so why are we shy to expect things for our community?
Or embarrassed when someone else makes such request?
There is no harm in asking. Unless you ask, you never know the response.
Religion is totally a personal affair. I offer prayer while I drive sometimes and sitting on my car seat. I don't need to
create a scene to show others how good Muslim I am.
Our religion permits us to pray alone and at a clean space. It can be a seat inside stadium and sitting. This will
alienate us further.

Some of the respondents have also referred to the comment made in the news that
AFL season usually overlapped with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which involved prayer five times a day.
This is misleading. Five times prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a daily ritual not just restricted to the
month of Ramadan. It must also be noted that Islam offers flexibility to its followers in performing the rituals.
Similarly to integrate youth into the mainstream requires role models and leaders. A very good example within
Pakistani community is Mr. Kashif Bounce from Victoria who has also been referred to in the attached column in
Urdu language. He took the initiative to engage Pakistani youth in sports specially AFL and is leading Shaheens
Group which within a span of less than five years has achieved great milestones and is recognized widely for its
contribution in sports. Another Pakistani member is Yasmin Khan from Queensland who is the AFL diversity
ambassador and is doing great work with a nomination to Australian of the Year in 2015. We need to encourage
such initiatives and invest resources where they are required urgently.
There is no doubt that we need prayers room at hospitals, education institutions, airports and even detention
centres. Our urgent need however in Perth is halal outlets at airport which we have been lobbying for even
before the new airport was built and Hon. Margaret Quirk wrote to the Airport authority earlier to convey our
concerns and we look forward to be informed that Perth airport does offer halal outlets if it has not been done as
yet.

PIA NEWS VOL.6 | Issue 02

NEW LAWS IN 2016

In the last issue we include information about new laws that come into effect in 2016. One of our
members Hasnat Ahmed has sent us the changes to law in Tasmania which was not included. Please
note that the firs home builder boost support will be reduced to 10 000$ as compared to 20 000.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanias-first-home-builders-boost-down-to10000/news-story/5c87bcef47c520a587cd216d7eec6fb4

YOUTH TALENT QUEST

The WA Multicultural Association for the second year will be hosting the "Multicultural Youth Talent Quest
2016" which was a very successful event in May this year.
We are looking now for participants to take part in next year's event and we would very much appreciate it
if you would make your listeners aware of it. The major aim is to encourage the younger generation to
maintain aspects of their culture and give them an opportunity to perform in public.
secretary@wamainc.org.au

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As Aldi opens new store in Joondalup there are positions currently advertised which close on 29th January 2016.
www.aldicareers.com.au
Public transport authority in WA has also advertised positions for transit officers and only online applications will
be accepted.
www.jobs.wa.gov.au