Arab Council Australia (Council) held its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 20 November, at its Fairfield East offices. The evening marks the first AGM under the leadership of the Council’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hassan Moussa.
The event was well attended by members, colleagues, supporters, and friends, who came together to reflect on the achievements of the past year through the presentation of reports detailing Council’s activities over the past 12 months. Reports were presented from the Council’s re-elected Chairperson, Rana Saab, and outgoing Treasurer, Jamal Hamdan as well as CEO Hassan Moussa.
“We have ambitious plans,” said Mr Moussa. “Plans that I know we can achieve because of the commitment, talent and dedication of Council’s people. I am humbled by the support the community has in Council.”
Along with AGM Business, a compelling keynote address by Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, acclaimed author, academic, and human rights advocate was presented on the topic of “Academic Freedom and the Palestine Exception: The Censoring of Pro-Palestine and Pro-Arab Voices from Public Discourse.”
Dr Abdel-Fattah spoke of the growing response from the ground in support of Palestine, saying that “we must continue to critique and expose these attempts to silence us, because after a year of genocide and over 73 years of settler colonialism…. it is incomprehensible that we, the victims who are resisting our slaughter, are being silenced, punished and gaslit.”
Former Council Chairperson, Fatima Ali, chaired the event and delivered an emotional presentation titled “Anguish in the Diaspora: Escalation into Lebanon and the Impact on Community.”
A new Board was also elected at the AGM, who will continue leading Council’s vital work in community advocacy and support. (Refer to attached list for details of the board).
The 2024 Annual Report, endorsed during the meeting, is now available for download on Council’s website at www.arabcouncil.org.au.
Board of Arab Council Australia
as elected at the Annual General Meeting on
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
| Title | Name |
| Chairperson | Rana Saab |
| Deputy Chairperson | Widad Farhan |
| Deputy Chairperson | Jamal Hamdan |
| Secretary | Akram Mardini |
| Treasurer | Wafa Jeha |
| Board Member | Susan Bakir |
| Board Member | Zizi Charida |
| Board Member | Lubna Kalache |
| Board Member | Samih Sayed |
| Board Member | Mary Chalhoub |
| Chief Executive Officer & Public Officer | Hassan Moussa |
