by Imam Abdul Quddoos Azhari
The Founder of AIIC at The Australian International Islamic College Multi-Purpose Hall 27th January 2016.Imam Abdul Quddoos 2015

Respected Principal, Honourable Board Members, Coordinators, Learned Teachers, Sergeant Jim Bellos and my dear children.
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu
It is really great to see you once again in the Academic Year of 2016 and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all. I pray that Allah SWT blesses you and makes this academic year a successful and blessed one. I hope you all had a great and relaxing holiday with your family and friends and you are ready to start the brand new year, InshaAllah.
Dear Children,
In my lasts years welcoming address I explained to you why we need an Islamic School and what is special about it. I told you we need to create an Islamic, safe and caring environment to develop a strong moral and ethical attitude, and in doing so, contribute to the wider Australian Society. We Muslims are law abiding citizens of this country, our safety and success, our security, all depends on the safety and success of Australia. We as young people must be strong and resist all of the temptation and must guard our modesty. We must follow the advice of our elders and stand for the Islamic and Australian values.
Madam Principal, Respected Teachers,
Yesterday we have celebrated Australia Day, it was a great celebration and many Australians have been awarded for their great achievements and contributions to the public and country.
The award for Young Australians of the Year, went to 2 youths who have set up a service for homeless people. Do you know my dear children, what that service was? A Laundry Service where they clean the clothes of the homeless, using a mobile washing machine in their van. They perform the service by visiting them regularly and engage in conversation whilst their clothes are being washed. When the clean clothes are ready, they then move on to the next street. This service started from Ipswich and moved on to the Brisbane area and has now extended to more than 100 places in towns and cities of Australia. The government has recognised the importance of this great service, and they have been honoured with the young Australian of the year award. I am pleased to hear this. We all must learn a great lesson from this great initiative. May Allah SWT help us all.
My dear children,
As you all know that for many centuries the Muslim world was the centre of learning and enlightenment. Why did this happen? It happened because the Muslims of that time did not seek scientific and worldly knowledge for its own sake, but rather they did it for the sake of knowing, worshiping and Ilm Nafi – beneficial knowledge for the whole of humanity.
We must remember Ilm without Hidayat and Amal, practice and guidance is useless and harmful. Nabi Muhammad (SAW) has said – “Whoever increases the knowledge and he did not practice, he achieves nothing but further distance from Allah SWT and Allah’s displeasure”.
The Ilm accompanied with Amal and Hidayat leads to Ilm Wahabi – the gifted knowledge. Allah SWT gives you the knowledge from his own which leads to increase the humility and pleasure to Allah, which are the important ingredients for material progress and prosperity.
My dear children,
It is for our own sake once again that I would like to remind you that we must follow the rules and regulation of the college, the guidance and instruction of our honourable principal and learned teachers. Please keep a very special eye on the hygiene and cleanliness of the school and fellow students. Please do not forget the uniform policy, punctuality and homework policies and remember when you are out in the community, you are ambassadors of AIIC. You must reflect accordingly and protect and promote the name and image of our college.
Jazakumullair khair, may Allah SWT bless you all.
Madam Principal, Respected Teachers, Dear Parents and my beloved children, it is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 academic year. May Allah SWT grant us Taufiq and a successful and enjoyable year, InshaAllah.

Assalamu Alaikum Warrahmatullahi Warabarakatuhu

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