The vibrant Kokni Muslim Society of Sydney celebrated its annual Eid Milan function of 2014 on the 2nd of August in presence of its ever growing brethren of Kokni families.
A number of Kokni families have been living in Sydney for many years and the population has grown from just a couple of families earlier on to a vibrant society of Kokni’s that have adopted Sydney as their own. In recognition of the even growing bands of brothers and sisters calling Sydney home, the Kokni Muslim Society of Sydney was officially registered as a Not for Profit association in 2007 by Shakur Tisekar. Since its inception, the society has continued to grow strength to strength and today represents around 26 families who are dedicated to preserving the proud Kokni Culture in this distant land and passing the legacy to our children. Today, the Society is a professionally run association due to the dedication of its executive members such as Br.Siraj Sarguroh, Br. Rafik Maldar, Sis. Zebun Maldar, Br. Farouk Dawre, Sis Taqdees Mukadam, Br. Aqeel Mukadam, Br. Saheel Hafiz, Akhlaque Parkar and many more.
Continuing its dedication to the Kokni tradition of brotherhood and community spirit, the Kokni Muslim Society celebrated the Eid Milan function of 2014 at Lakemba on the evening of 2nd of August 2014.
The function was attended by around 80 Kokni brothers, sisters andthe elderly. It was notably the biggest gathering of Kokni’s attending the function. The number was multiplied further by the presence of the delightful crowd of children who are the future of our society.
The function was run enthusiastically by the next generation of Kokni’s and was highlighted by the serving of exotic Indian dishes catered by a leading Halal restaurant in Sydney.
Some of the key events of the function were:-
- The programme was inaugurated by chacha Mahmood Dawre by reciting Surah Fatiha
- Chairman, Mr Siraj Sarguroh welcomed all Kokani members as well all esteemed guests who were attending the function for the first time.
- To the delight of the crowd, children of ages 6 year to 12 year gave presentation by reciting, various sura of the Quran, Hadith, short movies, short speech on the virtue of truthfulness etc. (The names of the proud Kokni’s who presented are: Baha Dadarkar; Ayesha Parkar; Ayaan Parkar; Firdaus Dawre ;Heena Maruf; Faiz Khambiye; Sara Sorathia; Zaid Pawaskar; Shayan Bidiwale; Bilal Parkar; Afrah Parkar; Yusuf Marouf; Azeem dawre; Suleiman Marouf; Ayub Sain)
- The highlight of the evening was however the award ceremony. As per the aim of the society to pass our legacy to our children, and lead them in path of hadith, children who fasted for full month of Ramadan and who finished reading quran for the first time received trophies and awards by Mr Mahmood Dawre. The children who received awards this year are, Baha Dardarkar, Ayesha Parkar, Ayyan Parkar, Bilal Parkar, Afrah Parkar, Sara Sorathia; Azeem Dawre; Ayoub Sain; Shahd Dadarkar; Firdaus Dawre; Suleiman Maruf; Sabiradawre; Zaid Pawaskar; Heena Maruf; RameezParkar; Shayan Bidiwale; Hiba Sarguroh; Uzma Sarguroh.
- Muhsin Dadarkar gave a short speech and appreciated that despite living in Non Islamic country, our Kokni people are upbringing their kids with Islamic values & also maintaining our culture well.
- Three of our next generation of Kokni’s received outstanding performance award for their achievements in their professional and academic sphere. Yousuf Dawre was recognized for his achievement for been selected as one of the 20 leaders in NSW to attend a forum where he sat with students and officials to design a student wellbeing program to be implemented in NSW public schools from next year. Iram Sarguroh was recognised for achieving high distinction in year 12&especially for her assignment on Indian Muslim which was considered outstanding. She has now joined a leading university to study occupational therapy. Rameez Parkar was recognised for winning the debate competition in inter school competition.
- As a mark of respect to our most senior Kokni family in Sydney Mr. Mamood Dawre & his wife Mrs Aziza Dawre were awarded the Lifetime achievement award. The Dawre family were the first Kokni Muslim family to settle in Sydney and over the years, have helped many Kokni families settle in Sydney with their selfless dedication to keeping the Kokni spirit alive.
- The function ended with a special note of thanks by our secretary Shakur Tisekar.
So as we conclude the most important celebration in our calendar, the Kokni Muslim Society has successfully kept the spirit of Kokni Jamat worldwide alive and kicking in this part of the world.
Although the function had the usual delight of exotic food and masaledar “gupshup”, the real highlight was that the Kokni Muslim society was able to successfully keep the Kokni flag flying high in Sydney. In addition, the society was successful in passing the Kokni spirit to our children and inculcating Kokni & Islamic identity values in them.
The Kokni Muslim Society of Sydney would like to extend the invitation to all Kokni Muslim families living in Sydney to get in touch with us if they are not a member. The membership will allow you to benefit from the various activities of the jamaat and connect with our traditional roots.
If you or someone you know is migrating or visiting Sydney, feel free to contact our Secretary Mr Shakur Tisekar via email shakur.tisekar@gmail.com as we will be more than welcome to assist you in your enquiries.
