Honoured guests, dignitaries and the best of Australian Muslim educators, learners and schools gathered to celebrate the inaugural Crescent Awards on Saturday 6th August 2022, at a gala dinner and awards ceremony Talal Yassine, MD of Crescent Wealth coined, “the Academy Awards for Muslim schools.” The event, held at Waterview in Sydney’s Homebush Bay, was an opportunity to showcase and celebrate of some of Australia’s most influential teachers and most accomplished students. “Recognition of our future, our children, their teachers, their schools and the quality of each of them.”
The Honourable Dr Anne Aly delivered the evening’s moving keynote address, sharing the central role education has played in her life – from weekend Arabic school during her upbringing in Lakemba, to the four university degrees she holds, becoming one of the most highly-respected academics in Australia, to now being Australia’s first female Muslim MP and newly appointed Minister for Early Education. She spoke of the pride she felt standing in a room full of Australian Muslims and asked that everyone in the audience take a moment to reflect on the contributions of the young people being honoured. “These are young people we can look up to, learn from, and celebrate.”
Islamic Relief Australia was one of the major supporters of the awards, and Samir Bennegadi, CEO, also spoke of the importance of education in creating a better, stronger society. “Education moulds people – young and old – into great leaders and thinkers. It is the key to turning our weaknesses into strengths and our challenges into opportunities.”
This was a theme reflected by Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of Western Sydney University and chair of the Crescent Institute, who also spoke at the event, saying, “Education lies at the absolute heart of maintaining Australia’s proud boast – now under challenge – to be a country that gives a fair go to everyone. Education opportunity is the foundation stone of the monument to equity. What we have witnessed tonight is the productive diversity that is the future of our nation.”
To see a full list of award winners, view highlights of the event and to watch the speeches from our honoured guests, visit crescentawards.com.au