On the 8th of December, the final day of the school year, Al Siraat hosted a Special Assembly for Palestine. This was a whole-school event attended by guest speakers The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, CIO Senior Sergeant Adrian Brilliant from Victoria Police, President of Whittlesea Interfaith Network Gurinder Kaur, and Sarah Baarini, executive member of the Islamic Council of Victoria.
The event MC and Head of Primary Mr Mohamed Elbotaty, welcomed the hundreds in the audience and began with the Acknowledgement of Country. Mr Elbotaty stated, "We are an Australian school in the Islamic tradition, so as an Australian school, we understand the importance of land to native people, as the land is to the people of Palestine. We're a school that teaches Islamic values, the core principle of which is we call to that which is good and forbid that which is evil. Regardless of what people say or what biased media says, we will still speak up against what is wrong. What we are seeing in Palestine today is wrong, and we will speak up about that. That doesn't come from a place of hate or bias."
The Opening Quran recitation was performed by Year 5 Hifz student Miqdad Baisa.
Mr Fazeel Arain, co-founder, and Principal of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, gave an inspiring speech reflecting on the Quran being the moral truth. He stated, "Today is about hope and du'a. No matter what excuses are given, no matter what media biases are used, the moral truth is the moral truth. The Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings upon him and his family) tells us when you see something evil, change it by the use of your hands. If you can't, then change it by the use of your tongue. If you can use your tongue, then at least consider it as evil in your heart, and that is the lowest level of faith. This is not a political issue or a religious issue. This is a human issue. This is a moral issue, and this is why as educators, it’s an important issue."
Islamic Studies teacher Ustadh Mohammed Graham gave a passionate speech, urging the students and the audience to turn to Allah, to seek help from Allah, and to make du'a to deal with the grief and sadness of witnessing the atrocities and injustices against the Palestinian people. He gave examples from the Seerah where non-Muslims had stood against oppression and injustices.
The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission, and Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, State Member for Thomastown, in their speeches, both shared their support and sympathies with the community and acknowledged the grief and suffering of the Palestinian people. MP Halfpenny talked about the vigil hosted at Parliament House and stated, "We believe every person has an obligation to stand up for human rights and speak out against injustices. I know there is a lot of anger and upset that the Federal Government is not doing enough, and we encourage everyone to write to their elected members and tell them what you think they should be doing. There are rank and file Labor party members who are also not happy and are speaking up."
Senior Sergeant Adrian Brilliant addressed the audience to reinforce that Victoria Police is available to provide reassurance and support to the community. He stated, "Our thoughts are with you. We also have many referral agencies we can go to if you need support, and don't be scared to report any crimes to the Police."
Sarah Baarini from the Islamic Council of Victoria gave an inspiring speech inviting young people to actively advocate, "We are very fortunate to live in Australia under safety and protection, but with that comes responsibility. As young people and as Muslims especially, you have a responsibility to use your voices, to use the privilege that you have here in this country of safety to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people who are being oppressed on a daily basis." She encouraged students to take meaningful action through writing and calling Members of Parliament and educating themselves both on what’s happening now on the ground and in history. Sarah concluded by encouraging young people to take care of themselves and their mental health as an important part of their moral and religious obligation through these times.
President of Whittlesea Interfaith Network, Gurinder Kaur, made a moving speech stating, "Compassion is the key of every religion. Every religion teaches about peace, prosperity, compassion, and harmony, but we are seeing in this world what is happening today. We all need to stand for justice and demand justice."
The event closed with a powerful moving du'a by Sheikh Waseem, pleading for the mercy of Allah SWT in removing the oppression of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, bringing many to tears as they said ameen, on that blessed Friday morning.
Al Siraat has hosted special assemblies like this in the past for the purpose of helping the students and the community feel safe, heard, and supported. The speakers offer solidarity, support and various things that especially young people can do to speak up against oppression and stand for human rights.