On May 9, the Al Minia Charitable Association held a prestigious event to honour Dr. Sheikh Fayez Saif, a member of the Higher Islamic Sharia Council and its spokesperson in the Lebanese Republic. The event was attended by approximately 200 people from various organisations and Muslim religious groups, all gathered to pay tribute to the sheikh’s incredible contributions to the community.

The event was also graced by the presence of many important dignitaries, including Minister Jihad Dib, the first Muslim minister in NSW, as well as Shaoquett Moselmane, former member of the NSW Legislative Council, and Bilal Hayek, deputy mayor of Canterbury Bankstown.

One of the highlights of the evening was a live phone call from the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. This was the first time that the Grand Mufti had ever addressed the Muslim diaspora in Australia, making the occasion even more special.

During the event, Minister Jihad Dib congratulated Dr. Sheikh Fayez Saif and shared some heartwarming stories about the sheikh’s selfless service for the community. Sheikh Fayez Saif also took the opportunity to thank the attendees for the honour they had bestowed upon him. In his speech, he stressed the need for unity and moving away from the old ideologies of assigning importance to any particular sect over the others. Instead, he encouraged everyone to work together for the benefit of the whole.

The event was closed with a buffet of sweets and fruits, giving everyone an opportunity to mingle and continue their discussions. Overall, the evening was a resounding success, with everyone leaving inspired and motivated to continue working towards a better future for the community.