Five emerging Australian Muslim leaders are in Brunei as part of the 2023 Australia-ASEAN Muslim Exchange Programme (AAMEP).
The delegates include young community leaders from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth: filmmaker Kauthar Abdulalim, strategic investment advisor Mohammed Khelil, lawyer Anju Kasmani, multicultural engagement specialist Zinab Al Hilaly and youth leader Ameen Soliman.
They began their programme in the Sultanate over the weekend, attending celebrations on July 15 and 16 in honour of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam77th birthday, including at Istana Nurul Iman at the invitation of the monarch.
“Muslims are the second largest religious community in Australia and a valued part of the country. The people-to-people links made through the programme will enrich the communities in Brunei and Australia, while demonstrating that Australia’s modern multicultural society makes us a great partner for our Southeast Asian neighbours,” said Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold. The programme also included an official tour of the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a courtesy call with Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin, a visit to Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and an AAMEP alumni dinner with Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari on Monday.
AAMEP is an initiative of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade delivered by Mosaic Connections. It began in 2019 and builds on a series of Muslim-community focused regional exchange programmes between Australia and Southeast Asia initiated in 2002. The programmes focus on people-to-people exchange and dialogue, aiming to break down stereotypes, build deeper understanding of communities as well as foster collaboration and lasting connections.
AAMEP began in June this year with eight delegates from Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines visiting Melbourne and Sydney over eight days. The Bruneian members of the delegation comprised lawyer Rabigah Natasha Halim binti Mohd Yusof and Ministry of Defence officer Awangku Md Nazirul Mubin bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman. – Adib Noor
