CCN
gets Up Close and Personal with..........
 Ms. Salam El-Merebi
[CCN] Ever since the announcement of
your recent nomination as a finalist for a Queensland
Community Services Award CCN has received several emails
from readers wanting to know more about you.
Thank you Salam for agreeing to be
bare your soul here.
Let's start by telling us about your
family.
[SEM] I was born in Lebanon, but did not
live there but both of my parents are from Lebanon
however we moved to Saudi Arabia, Jeddah were I have
spent 15 years of my life there then we moved to
Australia and I have been living here for 5 years know.
I am engaged to Anas Abdalla who is form
a Palestinian background, but lived all his life here in
Australia.
I have 5 handsome brothers who are
younger then me … yes I am the eldest… Essam
El-Merebi-19 years old; Ahmed El-Merebi-16 years old;
Ali El-Merebi-8 years old; Omar El-Merebi-7 years old
and Hamza El-Merebi- the little Aussie is 3 years old.
We came to Australia as Skilled Migrants.
My father (Azzam El-Merebi) has a Bachelor in Electric
engineer were he studied at California State University
in California. Dad got married to mom and then moved to
Saudi Arabia and he completed his masters by
correspondence. Later on he graduated with Masters in
Electric engineer from Washington University.
Mom (Yomen Finj) was studying Islamic studies in Saudi
Arabia before we came to Australia and unfortunately she
was not able to finish it because of us migrating to
Australia. Mom loves cooking so he had a little take
away restaurant from home were people used to order from
her menu over the phone. It was going very well but
again unfortunately she had to close it down because we
had to move. Mom is now waiting till my little brother
goes to school so she can go and study interior design
which she absolutely enjoys.
My brother Essam is studying Political Economy at
Griffith Nathan and he already has a diploma in
building.
Ahmed is still at high school, he goes to Runcorn states
high school. Next year is his last year at high school
and he is hoping to do dentistry.
Both Ali and Omar attend the Islamic college of
Brisbane. Ali is in grade 3 and Omar is in grade 2.
Ali is the “Australian champion in
Taekwondo” yellow belt for 2007.
Omar is the artistic one (he gets it from
me!!!) and he loves art. He is extremely talented for
his age (mashallah) I am still trying to find him an art
school.
Hamza is a little cutie and is a little devil. He goes
to childcare twice a week.
[CCN]
Which school did you go to in Brisbane and what did you
do after that?
[SEM] I completed year my Year 12 in 2004
at Macgregor State High School.
I am completing a Bachelor of Human
Services at the Queensland University of Technology in
Carseldine.
Prior to that I did a number of courses
at the TAFE and earned a Diploma in Youth Work,
Certificate IVs in Youth Work, in Mental Health Work
(non-clinical), Youth Work (Juvenile Justice) and an
Australian Red Cross Certificate.
[CCN] What was it like for you and
your family settling in Australia
[SEM] It was not hard for us to fit in
because we already had the language.
In Saudi Arabia we went to American
schools, we also had American, British and Irish
teachers so it was not hard for us to understand the
Australian mentality and way of life, however saying
that it was really hard for us to fit in from the
appearance side of it.
We are not white and both mom and I wear
the Hejab so I have experienced a lot of racism and I
still do, but I don’t mind it anymore because it’s a
daily ritual that is part of my life and I have learnt
to live with it.
My Father has Arab features which made
him an easy target.
My father was unemployed for two years
even though he had 30 years of experience and Masters in
his field.
Racism and discrimination taught me a lot
about this world and how it works.
With the help of Allah I discovered this
passion that I had in me, the passion of being a human
rights activist. This passion grew into a talent of
speaking out against racism and discrimination in front
of hundreds of people which I enjoy and love doing.
[CCN] What
do you do for a living?
[SEM] I am a counselor and a youth
worker. I counsel youth that are at risk, that are
mentally ill, suicidal, with identity problems, etc…
however I am not working at the moment because I am a
full time student, but I have applied to the Department
of Child Protection for the position of a child
protection officer, inshallah I'll get it.
[CCN] You belong to a number of
community groups and organizations. What are they and
what part do you play in them?
[SEM] In the MCRG ( Muslim community
reference group) I am the female youth representative
for the Al-Nisa Youth Group where I have been a board
member ever since it first started. I am the Chair
person of the Human rights sub-group and a board member
of AMARAH (Australian Muslim Advocates for the right of
All Humanity). I am a board member of FGFP (Fair go for
Palestine), STWC (Stop the war Collective), SSJ (Social
Students for Justice), and MSMPRG (Metropolitan South
Muslim Police reference group). I am a member of the
Australian Democrats and the Fair go for Palestine
representative on APC (Australia Palestine Counsel).
[CCN] I
am exhausted just listening to you name them. I dread to
think what it must take to be actually involved in each
of these organizations as passionately as you no doubt
do. What do you aim to achieve by being a part of them?
[SEM] My goals and passions are to try to
voice the issues of young Muslim Australian youth in the
Australian community and raise Islamic awareness in the
mainstream Australian society and raising awareness
about Human rights into the Australian society as a
whole and start to demolish the idea of “racism” and
discrimination against the Aboriginals, Muslims and any
oppressed minority in Australia; saying that I also try
to raise awareness about Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan,
Lebanon, Guantanamo bay etc…
I also help in organizing peaceful
rallies and demonstrations against the war and against
anything that jeopardizes human rights adding to that I
also tend to speak at rallies, public meetings and
demonstrations.
[CCN] I
know you don't spend all your time only in meetings.
[SEM] Not at all.
I do educational sessions on Human rights
issues that are taking place around the world, Multi
faith events, women dinner nights, Islamic Awareness and
fundraiser events, e.g : for Palestine and inshallah I
will be working on one soon for Iraq. I just need the
approval of one of the groups I am a part of.
I also help in organizing peaceful
rallies and demonstrations against the war and against
anything that jeopardizes human rights adding to that I
also tend to speak at rallies, public meetings and
demonstrations.
[CCN] What do your achievements mean
to you?
[SEM] Hamdullila I did achieve heaps in
my life thanks to Allah (Subhanaho wa taala), but not
recognition because I never did it for the recognition
and I never wanted to be recognized for it; until Shaima
Khan came along and nominated me for the Queensland
achieves award where I came a finalist for the Community
services award.
[CCN] You
hold strong views on politics and religion. tell us
about them.
[SEM] Have you got all day? Seriously, to
keep it short, I oppose the occupation of Palestine and
Iraq, I oppose the western Imperialist + capitalist
powers that are imposed on Muslim countries around the
world, e.g.: Indonesia.
I believe in ONE state solution for
Palestine and not TWO state solutions that is governed
by the Palestinian people.
I do not believe that democracy exists,
not in Australia, not in US and not in Iraq (off
course).
I oppose the government’s stand on
Aboriginal issues which are totally unfair and very
bias, and I know that Muslims and the Aboriginal people
are the scapegoats (AGAIN) for this Federal elections.
I think you have gathered by know the
idea of what my political stands are by reading what I
do… but saying that I do believe that religion and
politics should not be mixed because the moment you do
mix them you will have a clash of views that can
actually be against the religion itself.
I am extremely grateful to Allah that I
was born as a Muslim and that I am a practicing Muslim
and I try to enjoy every bit of being a Muslim in my
life by the guidance of Allah and by practicing the
traditions (Sunna) of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
[CCN] What do you see as the future of
the Ummah?
[SEM] Inshallah one day Muslim countries
will be governed under Islam with out the West’s
imperialist input and that will happen by uniting and
education Muslims on Islam.
I really want to see Muslims
educated about Islam and not Muslims that follow culture and
forget about the Islamic values and ethics.
I hope that inshallah in the Future
Muslims would understand the importance of Islam in
there life before it’s so late.
[CCN] And
the position of women?
[SEM] No one degrades women except for a
degraded man; said by: (Prophet Mohammed)
[CCN]
You're also passionate about travel.
[SEM] Yes, I am. I have traveled to
Morocco (loved it, you have to go there); Tunisia,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Malaysia… and I
really want to go to Fiji, South America + Mexico,
Italy, south Africa, Rwanda, Cambodia, India, China and
Tokyo.
I really want to go to Cambodia because
the poorest people in Cambodia are Muslims … I want to
visit them and see what Muslims over here can help them
out with, I want to see their needs and try to find a
way or a program that we can implement that would help
them out with their every day needs which they can
access and inshallah utilize. Inshallah one day ill do
it.
Mecca was and is still one of my favorite
places to visit because I lived one hour away form Mecca
so I was able to visit it a lot and in Ramadan visiting
Mecca was the best thing a Muslim could ever think of
doing… it gives you the feeling of full and ultimate
eman in Allah. You become so devout and spiritual and it
feels like you got so close to Allah … best feeling
ever…
[CCN] Tell us about the people who
have played a part in shaping your thoughts and actions
[SEM] Prophet Mohammed off course is a
role model for me and I try to follow in his footstep.
My Parents have played a big role in my
inspiration and they have taught me to not give up on
anything in life.
Halim Rane and Nora Amath were two people
that really believed in me and inspired me to follow my
passions.
My best friend Salma Mousali helped me
and was always there for me when ever I needed her.
And my fiancé Anas Abdalla; my other
half, helped shape my life and that is by completing my
life by sharing it with me, for inspiring me to do what
I love, for encouraging me and for helping me out by
advising me on what to do when I need his advise.
[CCN] As
an activist you must read very widely and avidly. What
are some of your more favourite ones?
[SEM] A book written by Karen Armstrong
called Islam: A short history. She takes you through all
the Islamic history since Gabriel (alayhi elsalam)
visited prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in the cave till
September 11 which is absolutely amazing. She is not a
Muslim and she was a nun for over 7 years and she writes
about Islamic factual events and she breaks the
ignorance barrier that is build up by the western media
about Islam and Muslims.
Another book is called “Dinning with
Terrorist” written by Phil Rees. This book is also
amazing because Phil takes you through a journey around
the world where he dines with people such as Hezbulla in
Lebanon, terrorist in Ireland, France, Colombia, Algeria
etc… This book basically goes through all the terrorist
list that is placed by the US, however Phil tries to
show the point of view of the “Terrorist” explaining
that a Terrorist for the US is not a Terrorist for a lot
of people around the world but on the contrary they are
freedom fighters for their lands and people that are
being occupied by imperialist powers such as the United
States of America. In his book Phil Rees also takes us
through the meaning of the word Terrorist which is
actually hard to define.
[CCN] Salam, thank you for taking the
time and trouble to talk with CCN and being so honest
and forthright with us. It's hard to imagine that you
have done all that you have done in this short space of
time and at such a tender age. We wish you all the best
for the future and look forward to talking with you
again soon, insha'Allah.
|
Woman of the Year
The
funeral of multi-millionaire John Ilhan
was the biggest held in
Melbourne's Muslim community, with up to
4,000 mourners attending Broadmeadows
mosque.
There has been an outpouring of grief around
Australia for the rags-to-riches migrant who
ended up with a fortune worth $310 million
after starting his mobile phone retail
business with $1,000 and one shop in 1991.
