Qld: We love and perform the anthem, Muslim school says

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2008
Qld: We love and perform the anthem, Muslim school says

(EDS: Adds comments from chairman, trustee of school)

BRISBANE, Dec 5 AAP - Students at an Islamic school in Brisbane sang Advance Australia
Fair at a year-end assembly on Friday, as a furore erupted over claims it had banned the
anthem.

Controversy erupted after a former teacher at the Australian International Islamic
College told The Courier-Mail newspaper the school, in the Brisbane suburb of Durack,
had "banned" the anthem.

But the school chairman, Imam Abdul Quddoos Azhari, told AAP the anthem was played
at "every important occasion".

School trustee Keysar Trad said news the anthem was not played regularly at school
assemblies came as a shock.

"A quick investigation we did ... found that because they have a daily assembly at
the school every morning, the principal came up with the idea - without getting the full
board's endorsement - she didn't want to perform the anthem every morning," Mr Trad said.

"The anthem is being performed at every special function we have."

Mr Trad said the anthem was sung as recently as a graduation ceremony last Wednesday.

"Our school choir has performed the anthem at many other events, not just at the school
but outside the school as well," he said.

"Our school choir is fairly well known for their ability to perform the national anthem.

"We actually promote the anthem, because we like it.

"Personally, I love the content because it's full of these wonderful words which reflect
values that we all share."

Mr Trad said the anthem will continue to be performed at every school function. Trustees
and the board will meet to discuss the logistics of performing the anthem at every school
assembly.

"My personal recommendation is that it be performed at every assembly," he told AAP.

He said the anthem was performed at the holiday break assembly at the school on Friday.

"Anyone can see that the children are standing up and performing the national anthem,"

Mr Trad said.

AAP stg/pjo/wf

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