War in the Middle East is affecting diaspora groups across the world. Jaidyn Kennedy spoke to two western suburbs residents who are using their voice to help young Muslims at home and abroad.
The conflict in Gaza has paused, Israel and Hezbollah may have agreed to a ceasefire in southern Lebanon and the Assad political dynasty has been toppled in Syria, but the effects of war still reverberate across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.
While many Muslim members of the Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian diasporas face the daily prospect of losing friends, family and property, two young Muslim professionals are advocating to ensure their dignity and identity are not lost.
Twenty-three-year-old lawyer Ghazi Zoghaib and 22-year-old Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) representative Marwan El-Houli differ in profession, but are united by their faith and voice.
Mr Zoghaib first found himself advocating in a civic capacity as a year 6 student at Altona Green Primary School, as a member of the student representative body.
“We would co-ordinate with teachers on things that we thought would be beneficial for the students,” Mr Zoghaib said.
“I enjoyed being able to advocate for others and many suggested that I could be a very good lawyer one day.“
“I gave a speech in my year six graduation and remember telling my peers that after moving onto high school, I would one day become a lawyer.”
The laughter of a few detractors did not deter Mr Zoghaib as he fulfilled the message of his speech.
As he progressed through his studies, the notion of justice within the Australian legal framework became the guiding principle of his legal identity.
Accessibility, one of the defining tenets of Australian justice, can be hindered by a lack of financial resources and a lack of understanding the law itself.
Minimising these potential barriers has become the core of Mr Zoghaib’s professional philosophy and practise.
“My goal was to become a lawyer who is able to provide effective, efficient but most importantly affordable legal advice, in order to be a voice for the voiceless.“
“I truly view being a lawyer as a means to help people.“
“Many think it’s for financial reasons, but personally I genuinely want to play my role in society to help others.”
Mr Zoghaib also advocates through local non-for-profit organisations, co-ordinating youth events and programs, including many initiatives that provide financial aid to those in need overseas.
“At the moment, my main goal is advocating for the innocent civilians in both Lebanon and Palestine during the on-going conflict, with a major focus on advocating for the provision of urgent financial assistance and aid to those in need,“ he said.
While his voice and work stretch across the globe, the initial motivation was sourced close to home.
“What drew me to become a community leader was that while I was growing up, I felt that we, as Muslims and in particular Lebanese-Muslims, were not portrayed in the best of light,“ he said.
“We faced a lot of unfair criticism.“
“I have therefore been driven to be a tool to show the rest of Australia that there are practicing Australian-Muslims like myself who are very successful and well-educated in a plethora of industries such as law, healthcare, construction and economics.“
“I want other young Muslims to feel that they can reach their dreams and goals while still being true to who they are.”
As the partnerships and stakeholder engagement co-ordinator at the BHF, Mr El-Houli harnesses the power of sport to bridge societal gaps.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand how sport serves as a powerful vehicle for community engagement, social cohesion, and advocacy,” he said.
“Through sport, young people don’t just build physical and leadership skills – they develop important life values like teamwork, respect, and resilience, which are the cornerstones of effective advocacy and bridging the gap between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.”
His work goes beyond the members of his own faith, but seeks to achieve a better society for all Australians.
“One of the most effective ways of bringing Mohammed and William, or Fatima and Emily, together to meaningfully interact is through sport.”
“In a team setting, individuals from diverse backgrounds unite around a shared goal. Sport has a unique power to break down barriers and establish genuine connections.“
“While Australia is generally known for celebrating multiculturalism and religious diversity, some of the biggest issues that young Australian-Muslims currently face are related to identity, discrimination, and rising Islamophobia.”
Citing the particular moral and psychological impact the events in Gaza have had on those aged under 18, Mr El-Houli is striving to help Muslim youth achieve their best.
“The most rewarding part of my work is helping these young people repair and embrace their identities as Australian-Muslims with pride and confidence, ultimately guiding them toward becoming the best versions of themselves.“
“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial for all Australians to stand together in rejecting discrimination and supporting the inclusion of Muslim communities.”
The values of justice, compassion, humility, and integrity are the tools of Mr El-Houli in his pursuit to craft a better world.
“These teachings inspire me to lead by example, always striving to embody the principles of Islam in my daily actions. My faith drives me to contribute to meaningful change in the community.”
