Kathleen McAleer, Heela Nadeer, Soroptimist Barbara Phillips, Nazifa Nadeer, Soroptimist Noela Gregson, and Sherene Hassan from the Islamic Council.THE City of Casey and members of Soroptimist International Berwick celebrated cultural diversity last week at a forum with Sherene Hassan from the Islamic Council of Victoria and former citizen of the year Nazifa Nadeer.
Muslims are diverse in their dress, religious practices, ways of life, and beliefs, Sherene told the audience of more than 40 people at the civic centre at Narre Warren.
The former physics teacher and mother of four was born in Australia and now spends her time as a volunteer with the Islamic Council. She is among Melbourne’s most influential people, according to a 2007 metropolitan newspaper survey.
Adding to the celebration of diversity was Afghani Nazifa Nader and her daughter Heela, who fled Afghanistan in 1992 and eventually settled in Narre Warren and became a citizen of the year.
The women’s service club Soroptimist International, whose catchcry is A Global Voice For Women, organised the event in conjunction with Casey’s access and equity officer Kathleen McAleer.
