Jamal Hakim

Sydney, thank you.

What we experienced at the Sydney launch of the Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas (.au) was powerful, a room filled with artists, thinkers, and community coming together through culture, ideas, and shared purpose.

To our panellists, performers, and everyone who joined us, thank you for helping bring this moment to life. This is what it means to build a cultural institution grounded in community, expression, and connection.

Together, we launched more than an organisation.
We launched a platform for Arab Australia arts, culture, and ideas to be seen, supported, and sustained.

What we shared on the night

✨ The Institute’s vision and national cultural mandate
✨ Our 2026 program of events including our Annual Arab Writers Festival and Conference, bi-monthly public briefings and private org briefings, and our work toward our first pilot grant program
✨ A growing platform to support artists, storytellers, and cultural voices

🇱🇧 For Lebanon, 10452 ()

We also announced the launch of our campaign For Lebanon, a cultural and community-led fundraising initiative supporting people in Lebanon through trusted, non-political and non-religious organisations.

Through culture, storytelling, and community action, we will be raising funds and awareness to support those impacted on the ground.

This is part of our commitment to showing up for our communities not only through ideas, but through action.

We announced two concerts being held in Melbourne and Sydney featuring the brilliant Rami Khalife as the catalyst to this campaign. More on this in the coming week but you can sign up now on forlebanon.org.au

This is just the beginning.

Thank you for being part of it.

Last night I joined my good friend for the annual .au iftar. The People’s Project was established by Amir in his quest to create diverse, inclusive spaces for belonging for young Muslims, and the broader community in an environment that is increasingly hostile.

Amir shared in his address to the crowd of mostly young people (man I felt old), saying; when safe spaces for young people to share their full identity don’t exist, division grows, disconnection grows. We stay in our own circles, we misunderstand each other, and we judge what we don’t know. And that’s exactly what the people’s project is about.

Amir was joined by Maribyrnong Mayor and Arab Australian AFL legend , sharing their journeys and hopes for young people in community today, and the continued terrific work they are doing.

Congratulations Amir and the .au on another terrific night. I’m proud to support your continued success and can’t wait for what’s to come. Ramadan Mubarak. ☪️💛✨🕊️

It was great to join members of the community for open mosque day yesterday representing .au. A good reminder that mosque are open every day of the year, and everyone is always welcome.

As President of the ICV Mohammed Mohideen shared, it is with open hearts, open minds, and open doors that we can combat racism and the challenges facing our communities today and into the future.

Sunday night was a beautiful reminder why community matters.

Walking into .media Live: “It’s a No from me” and seeing a room full of people who care, who are curious, who are willing to listen and back each other in real life was genuinely powerful.

What and , and the team at Ette Media have built is more than an event series and media literacy group. It’s a community. One grounded in trust, shared values, courage, humour and the simple but radical act of showing up for one another. It’s all about that SCRAG! .

For me, community is built through cause, connection and continuity. You don’t just create moments. You create spaces people want to return to. Last night was exactly that.

Huge respect to everyone who came out, asked questions, laughed, reflected and made the room feel alive.

If you’re in Canberra tomorrow night (Feb 4), uni have one last session to go. Please go. Support independent media. Support thoughtful conversation. Support community.

Congratulations Antoinette Lattouf and Jan Fran, and the whole team at Ette Media xoxo.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday period. 🎄🎅

Today and everyday, think of those around you. Practice sharing, understanding, and peace. And in the face of tyranny, fight with all your might.

Today is not an easy day for everyone, so whether you are taking some time out alone, with family, or with your chosen family or friends, I hope you have a moment of reprieve and love in a world that sometimes feels out of control. ❤️❤️✊🏽✊🏽

Just a short message to say Mabrouk to my friend on the launch of this Thursday.

Show them some love by following and tuning in on Thursday nights at 6pm from this Thursday 11 Dec on for some awesome Latino tunes and so much more 💃🕺🪩✨

Mabrouk Jorge and Sandra. ✨❤️

A national day of action for Palestine was held today, and close to 100,000 people in Melbourne showed up to stand up against the indiscriminate war crimes being committed by Isr*^ll. That’s a no to starvation as a weapon, no to the starvation of an entire population - women, men and children indiscriminately. No to the annexation of land. No to the illegal settlements. No to the deliberate killing of journalists, health workers, teachers, and no to the constant and deliberate mutilation of boys, girls, teenagers and babies.

Real leaders stand up, listen, and act. We want real action from our leaders, but we won’t wait. Protest is one way we stand up and be counted. Thank you. Free free Palestine.

Was helping out at Docklands for a bit today with the election and all, and made sure to plug our friend at the who are running the democracy sausage sizzle. The Alma is under attack and could lose their home in Docklands so make sure to support their campaign to stay. - I think it’s a benefit to Victoria Harbour and you need to rethink for some more social licence.

Meanwhile, not enough voting places in Melbourne yet again…

Good luck in the Senate for Melbourne!

Did your booth have a democracy sausage?

My thoughts are with friends and the broader Jewish community. In times like these, it’s critical that we don’t allow those who wish to incite hate and xenophobia to succeed.

There is no place for antisemitism and hate in our community. The fire attack on the Synagogue in Ripponlea overnight is unacceptable.

I have often said, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of bigotry are not isolated issues; they are interconnected and require a unified response.

It’s crucial that we, as a community, take a firm stand against all forms of hate, recognising that our strength lies in our solidarity.

Burning down places of worship, regardless of whether it’s a synagogue, a mosque, church or temple is completely unacceptable and all people have the right to live in peace.

- Jamal

Nothing like good people to fill your soul. Great catching up! ❤️🙌