HREOC Website: Isma

Ismaع - Listen Home || Independent Research || Strategies Document || Audio Resources || Media Pack || Consultations

Consultations

Dr William Jonas speaking at the launch of Isma - Listen Members of the audience at the launch of Isma - Listen Ms Rawan Abdul-Nabi, youth representative on the Isma reference group, speaking at the launch of Isma - Listen Members of the reference group at the launch of Isma - Listen

A project aimed at eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians was launched by acting Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Bill Jonas in Sydney on 21 March 2003 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Isma - Listen: National consultations on eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians aims to restore and maintain harmony in the Australian community at a time when negative feelings against these groups may arise.

The project aims to:

Enhance public awareness about Arab and Muslim Australians;
Encourage opinion leaders and community organisations to demonstrate solidarity with Arab and Muslim Australians against racist attacks;
Ensure that Arab and Muslim Australians, and other targets such as Sikhs, are not isolated but can continue to participate fully in society;
Empower communities to 'speak back' to ensure that Arab and Muslim Australians are heard on issues affecting them;
Ensure that complaints about discrimination and vilification are treated seriously;
Challenge vilification, discrimination and stereotyping.

To address these objectives, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will consult with federal, state and territory government agencies and Arab and Muslim communities across Australia. To ensure consultations are comprehensive, the Commission has employed a Community Liaison Officer, Omeima Sukkarieh, and appointed a reference group of relevant representatives from:

Al Zahra Islamic Council
Australian Arabic Communities Council
Australian Arabic Council
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
Islamic Women's Welfare Council of Victoria
Maronite Catholic Diocese of Australia
Multicultural Affairs Queensland
Muslim Women's National Network of Australia
NSW Police Service
NSW Department of Education & Training
SA Equal Opportunity Commission
United Muslim Women's Association
WA Office of Multicultural Interests

Senior journalist Christopher Kremmer, media personality John Doyle (aka Roy Slaven) and independent youth representative, Rawan Abdul - Nabi, complete the group.