Muslim community leader – and CLA member – Ikebal Patel has been chosen as the ACT’s Australia Day ambassador for 2011. ‘He has made an enormous contribution (towards)…community tolerance and harmony,” Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.
ACT community and Muslim leader – and CLA member – Ikebal Patel has been named the ACT’s 2011 Australia Day Ambassador by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. Mr Patel is President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, the peak national body representing the interests of Australian Muslims. He is also the Chair of the Muslim Advisory Council of the ACT and Board Chairman of the Islamic School of Canberra.
As an Australia Day Ambassador, he will attend various events in Canberra on 26 January.
“Mr Patel has made an enormous contribution to the Canberra community as a public advocate of harmony and tolerance between people of different faiths, and will be a very worthy ACT Ambassador on our national day,” Mr Stanhope said.
“Mr Patel is a member of various organisations proactive in helping different communities work together, including Civil Liberties Australia and the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations,” Mr Stanhope said. “He is also an ambassador of the White Ribbon Foundation for the elimination of violence against women.”
In recognition of his continued dedication to enhancing the welfare of others, Mr Patel was awarded the Pride of Australia “Fair Go” Medal in 2010 and received a Special Commendation in the Community Category of the ACT Volunteer of the Year awards in 2006.
“Mr Patel has spent most of his life assisting others, particularly helping with the resettlement of refugees. His dedication to the protection and advancement of civil liberties and human rights is recognised both locally and nationally. I am pleased that, along with thousands of Canberrans, Mr Patel will be helping us celebrate Australia Day,” Mr Stanhope said.